Skate into shape with new roller derby league

Roller warriors! Danielle Ross, Cindy Gutierrez and Tara Bottone (from left) get in shape thanks to Derby Fit, a fitness league at the Greenwood Playground in Windsor Terrace that kicks off this Saturday.

By Meredith Deliso

Hey ladies, if you’re looking to get in shape, just put on some skates!

Starting this Sunday, the Greenwood Playground will be home to Derby Fit, a roller derby league for women that’s based on the teachings of Gotham Girls Roller Derby, that gritty urban racing game.

Jasmina Nikolov, a member of the Friends of Greenwood Playground, decided to bring a less-intimidating version of that derby program to the Windsor Terrace Park last year for a fun, but still intense, way to get in shape.

“It was really scary initially, I hadn’t been in skates in 20 years,” said the Kensington resident. “But it was wonderful. It was really exhilarating.”

Those sessions were such a hit, the group, this time led by Friends member Lisa Origlieri, decided to bring it back for three sessions this spring and summer. The six- to seven-week sessions are geared toward beginners, during which you can learn such skills as turning, stopping, proper stance, and falling on stakes. Cardio and conditioning are also done on foot, but the real work comes when the quad-skates are laced up.

“Skating in itself is a tremendous workout,” said Tracey Debenedictis, aka Ariel Assault, a Gotham Girls Roller Derby coach who leads the Derby Fit league. “And skating in a good, low derby stance is basically like holding a squat for two hours.”

Elbows — and punches — are known to be thrown during the competitive version of the sport, popularized by the 2009 movie, “Whip It,” starring Ellen Page, but the Derby Fit program brings a non-contact, non-aggressive version to the park. As a result, it’s attracted women of all ages, but most prominent are new moms looking to shed their baby weight in a fun, social way.

“I’m not one for the gym,” said Origlieri, who had her second child five months ago. “But this doesn’t seem like work. It’s more fun.”

Derby Fit at Greenwood Playground (Fort Hamilton Parkway and E. Fifth Street in Windsor Terrace, no phone). The first of six sessions begins on May 8 at 9 am, followed by two seven-week sessions after that. Cost is $125 for six weeks, $145 for seven. For info, visit www.friendsofgreenwoodplayground.bbnow.org or e-mail greenwoodrollerderby@gmail.com.

Photo by Sara Brittany Somerset

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‘Super’ parties at rival Cobble Hill bars

Packers fan Mark Swadorski watches his beloved team at Angry Wades in Cobble Hill, 

a home away from home for Green Bay boosters. 

Photo by Stefano Giovannini

By Aaron Short

Two storied football franchises are facing off in the Super Bowl —and so are two storied Cobble Hill bars.

Cody’s Bar and Grill on Court Street is the gridiron oasis for Steeler Nation, while a mere six blocks away, Angry Wade’s on Smith Street has cultivated the cheeseheads.

Both bars will be packed on Sunday as Terrible Towel twirlers and Green Bay Packer fans cheer their teams to victory (though one will inevitably lose).

Both bars love the out-of-towners (the Jets and Giants are out of it anyway, so why not let the winners celebrate and buy beer?).

“It’s been our best year ever because of the Packers fans,” said Wade Hagenbart of Angry Wade’s, while his counterpart, Kevin Cody concurred, noting it was impossible to get a seat during the playoffs.

Just as the blue-collar, defense-minded teams match up well, the similarities between Cody’s and Angry Wade’s are eerie.

Both bars emanate a relaxing, lived-in ambiance, with brass fixtures and stained glass lights, leather upholstered chairs, and hardwood floors.

Wings, mozzarella sticks and burgers are mainstays on the menus — as well as Brooklyn Brewery, Budweiser and Bud Light.

Even their sports loyalties are flaunted discreetly — a lone plaque from the Steelers’ 2009 Super Bowl hangs on a side wall at Cody’s and an American flag flown over the Packer’s stadium, Lambeau Field, is tucked above a jukebox at Angry Wade’s.

If we could describe Angry Wade’s as any member of the Packers, it would have to be the relentless, wild-haired, eating-machine that is linebacker Clay Matthews Jr.

“He’s an animal,” said Hagenbart.

If Cody’s were a member of the Steelers, it would have to be the unyielding, bone-crunching strong safety, Troy Polamalu.

“He’s a hard worker, and so are we,” said Cody.

Both bartenders are working overtime to make their home the best place to catch the game this weekend.

Angry Wade’s is rolling out an all-you-can-eat menu with barbecue turkey, pulled pork, and roast beef sandwiches as well as bratwursts from Wisconsin, $50 for men and $35 for women.

Cody’s is keeping its Super Bowl menu under wraps, like the Steelers’ defensive strategy, but expect a few three-man rushes of Buffalo wings and some corner blitzes of nachos to keep everyone alert.

Cody’s Bar and Grill [154 Court St. at Pacific Street in Cobble Hill, (718) 852-6115]; Angry Wade’s [224 Smith St. at Butler Street in Cobble Hill, (718) 344-3178]. Feb. 6. Game starts at 6:30 pm.

Second image: Diehard Steelers fans Ann Gaffney (left) and Christina Baumberger will be going behind the Steel Curtain at Cody’s Ale House in Cobble Hill. Photo by Tom Callan

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Pitch perfect! Heights bars support three different soccer teams

Soccer on Atlantic Avenue has reached a fever pitch.

On one small stretch in Brooklyn Heights, there’s not one, not two, but three soccer bars, merely doors apart, that all hold an allegiance to different British football clubs — or, as we like to say here across the pond, soccer teams.

“It wasn’t an intentional thing to have a strip of soccer bars right there, but it’s pretty cool,” said Jason Furlani (right), owner of the Roebling Inn, one of the avenue’s newer bars that will be showing games once the Premier League kicks off on Aug. 14. “I don’t really see that anywhere else.”

Most Americans only tune into soccer every four years for the World Cup, but Furlani’s been following British soccer for years — ever since a Liverpool pal got him into the team.

So with the season starting, it seemed like a no-brainer to show the games at his bar, especially since Atlantic Avenue favorites Chip Shop and Floyd have been giving Brooklyn’s British soccer fans — and even some from West Brooklyn, too — a homebase for the past few years.

“We’ve always shown the games, but it’s getting bigger,” said Chip Shop owner Chris Sell (left). “We’ve added a bunch of TVs two years ago, and even replaced the ones we had with larger screens.”

The restaurant is an official supporter of the Arsenal Football Club, based out of North London. When the games are on, you can enjoy some beer specials, as well as an English breakfast, which, given the early nature of these games here because of the time difference, is a big hit, said Sell.

“We’re the family venue,” he said. “It’s a safe environment where fathers can bring their s

ons in for games. You’re not going to hear drunken Liverpool supporters.”

That you can leave to the Roebling Inn, which is an official supporter of the Liverpool Club. Liverpool’s first game is against Chip Shop’s Arsenal on Aug. 15, and, given the two team’s long-seated rivalry, is going to be big. Just don’t expect as much drama between the two bars.

“I like the people at Chip Shop,” said Furlani. “I don’t predict any animosity.”

Floyd owner Sean Neill (right) also speaks highly of his neighbors.

“We import a lot of English tradition, but not any kind of hooliganism,” said Neill, whose bar is known primarily for its indoor bocce ball courts but also for its devotion to the Spurs — not the basketball team, but the London-based Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. “I convinced Spurs supporters to locate to Floyd a year after we opened, around 2004,” he said.

Testament to that, signed shirts, photographs and flags all belonging to the North London team can be found throughout the bar.

“Spurs fans in the UK send us things or bring them on a visit all the time,” said Neill. “We seem to be well-known across the water.”

Tottenham’s first game is on Aug. 14 against Manchester City, though you’ll want to mark your calendars for Nov. 21, when the Spurs play their most bitter rival: Chip Shop’s Arensal (man, this team gets around!).

“The Spurs-Arsenal animosity is one of the strongest in the Premier League. They hate each other deeply,” said Neill. “To Spurs fans, that’s the most important game of the year.”

Indeed, last year’s game against the two rivals drew out over 100 fans — a good mix of Americans and expats — to Floyd to watch the game. And when the Spurs won, they partied all day long, singing and shouting.

“There’s a lot of chanting, some of it pretty foul,” said Neill. “It’s not a good time for children to be in the bar.”

For that, it’s only a few feet to the tamer Chip Shop.

Roebling Inn [97 Atlantic Ave. between Henry and Hicks streets in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 488-0048]; Chip Shop [129 Atlantic Ave. between Henry and Clinton streets in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 855-7775]; and Floyd [131 Atlantic Ave. between Henry and Clinton streets in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 858-5810].

Photos by Bess Adler

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Sparta! American Gladiators-esque race to invade Brooklyn

By Roxanna Asgarian

This race is epic.

On Aug. 15, spears will be wielded and mud will fly when the Spartan Race invades Floyd Bennett Field.

The extreme contest — think “American Gladiator” meets Navy SEAL training — draws 1,500 competitors to test their mettle in an hour-long race comprised of such obstacles as a mud pit, fire jump and barbwire crawl (ouch!).

“Leave your comfort zones at home,” said race Director Brian Duncanson. “This is an extreme sporting event [but one] about the fun — getting dirty, getting down in the mud, something exciting and new.”

The 5K run is based upon the type of fitness training Spartan warriors underwent in ancient Greece, and, in a nod to that, would-be warriors from around the tri-state area will break out their Spartan armor and red tunics as they attempt such trials as the spear throw, balance beam obstacle course and wall climb, all intended to physically — and mentally — test the runners.

“Some people find the typical 5K a little boring,” said Spartan Race spokesman Doug Drotman. “This race adds a little action and strategy to what would normally be a traditional run in the park.”

Joe Chick, a Fort Greene-based marathon runner, decided to celebrate his birthday out at Floyd Bennett Field by channeling his inner Spartan and running the race with 35 of his closest friends.

“It’s something different, it’s not just going out to dinner or a happy hour,” said Chick, who had shirts emblazoned with a baby chick leaning on a Spartan war helmet and the words “I’m doing this for a chick” (a play on his last name) made for the race.

“My friends come from varied backgrounds. Some are just looking to finish the race, while others, like me, hope to do really well.”

For those not brave enough to enter the race, there will be live entertainment, BBQ and games all day at the park. You can even get your face painted and a set of spray-on abs so you can cheer on the warriors in true ancient Greek style.

The Aug. 15 spectacle is the third in an international series, with races also held in Montreal, Houston, and Manchester, England, among other cities. The ultimate Spartan warrior with the fastest race time from each city will be awarded an “authentic” Spartan spear, as well as a spot in the intimidatingly named Death Race, a 36-hour ultra endurance test held annually in Vermont.

The words of Homer may also serve as a motivating force: “I too shall lie in the dust when I am dead, but now let me win noble renown.”

That Homer, he really could write.

Spartan Race at Floyd Bennett Field [Flatbush Avenue and Aviation Road in Marine Park, (718) 758-7556], Aug. 15 from 8 am-6 pm. Entrance fee is $70, free to watch. For info, visit www.spartanrace.com.

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Where to watch the World Cup

We've reached the end.

On Sunday, World Cup madness comes to an end, as Spain and Germany duke it out for international glory.

Our pick for the best spot to watch in Brooklyn is in DUMBO, at The Archway. The DUMBO Improvement District is hosting an outdoor screening of the big game there under the arch starting at 1:30 pm, so bring a blanket and pack a lunch. Vuvuzela optional.

For spots where you can have a beer in hand while you cheer on your team (being a Brooklyn, or Breueklen, paper, we are naturally rooting for the Dutch), try some of our World Cup picks, listed here.

Where will you be watching the big finale on Sunday?

Photo: www.ibj.com

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En garde! Fencing World Cup comes to Brooklyn

Forget soccer. This month, Brooklyn is the international home of swordplay as the Fencing World Cup comes to the Marriott today through Sunday.

Some of the best fencers in the world will be competing throughout the weekend, among them Flatlands native Nzingha Prescod.

Only 17 years old, Prescod (at left) is formidable with a foil, one of the more popular fencing forms, probably because the goal is to nail your opponent in the vest. The Stuyvesant HS senior is a two-time world champion for her age bracket and weapon.

“All the swords are pretty technical, but people say the foil is for more clever people,” said Prescod. (That’s no joke: this fall, Prescod heads to Columbia University, a respectable institution of higher learning.)

The teen has traveled the world, including Germany, China and Korea this year alone.

“I’m really excited” to have the competition right in our backyard, said Prescod, who’s competed in three previous World Cups, placing third for women’s foil in one. This year, she’s shooting for the top 16, and will be among the youngest competitors at the World Cup, competing against fencers in their 20s and 30s.

Nearly 300 athletes from over 20 countries are expected to compete in the men’s and women’s saber and women’s foil at the yearly competition, including two-time American Olympic Gold medalist Mariel Zagunis and three-time Olympic Gold medalist Valentina Vezzali of Italy.

“It’s a very exciting sport to watch,” said Liz Cross, executive director of the Fencers Club in New York, which is sponsoring the event. “It’s very fast moving, very high intensity. If you slip and start thinking about something else, you’re done.”

For the fencing novice, there will be commentary provided for each match. So even if you don’t know a foil from a sabre, you won’t miss a thing.

Fencing World Cup at the Brooklyn Marriott [333 Adams St. near Willoughy Street in Downtown, (718) 246-7000], June 18-20. Admission is free. For info, visit www.fencersclub.com.

Photo by Stefano Giovannini

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For more World Cup action...

By Aaron Short

The eyes of the world will be on soccer for the next 10 weeks, but if any American eyes are on the World Cup, they’ll be focused intensely on an early round heavyweight matchup between the United States and perennial powerhouse, England, on June 12.

Animosity between the two nations hasn’t been this high since the War of 1812.

The Bell House will be the pitch perfect venue for this clash of the Titans (or at least one Titan). The Gowanus-based bar promises one of the loudest venues on one of the biggest screens in Brooklyn. As the Americans and the Brits fight on the field at 2:30 pm, American and English DJs will battle it out on the dance floor, and Bell House hooligans can choose between American and English food and drink.

Atlantic Avenue’s bars will be bustling all World Cup season, as soccer-mad fans will head to The Brazen Head, for Chelsea Checker Cab Pints for $3 and drink specials and bocce games at Floyd’s. Both bars will be open at 9 in the morning on the weekends for marquee games, so show up early to beat the crowds and grab some brunch.

In Williamsburg, Bedford Avenue is the place to be, as Spike Hill has declared itself “Williamsburg’s World Cup Headquarters,” and Iona, which promises to televise every game, seems to have been built to celebrate just such an occasion. At Iona, housed in one of the oldest buildings in Williamsburg, you will likely hear lots of different languages cheering for England, France, Italy, Spain, Germany, and the Netherlands, depending on the match.

In Bay Ridge, Casa Pepe is catering to fans of Mexico, Spain, and the United States, offering 25 percent off meals and complementary cocktails during games featuring those teams. Root for high scoring matches, because when Spain scores, sangria is offered and when Mexico nets a goal, tequila shots will be served. And if the United States is lucky enough to push one through? Whiskey.

In Prospect Heights, American fans will be flocking to Woodwork on Vanderbilt Avenue for perhaps the largest outdoor viewing area in the borough. The sports bar is an official FIFA-sponsored bar and the rumor is that ESPN may show up to film the proceedings during the USA-England match.

Expect a decidedly pro-USA crowd that weekend, as one Woodwork manager pronounced, “Everyone hates England, ever since WWII, or whatever.”

The Bell House [149 Seventh St. between Second and Third avenues in Gowanus, (718) 643-6510]; The Brazen Head [228 Atlantic Ave. between Court Street and Boerum Place in Boerum Hill, (718) 488-0430]; Floyd’s [131 Atlantic Ave. near Henry Street in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 858-5810]; Spike Hill [184 and 186 Bedford Ave. near N. Seventh Street in Williamsburg, (718) 218-9737]; Iona [180 Grand St. at Bedford Avenue in Williamsburg, (718) 384-5008]; Casa Pepe [114 Bay Ridge Ave. near Colonial Road in Bay Ridge, (718) 833-8865‎]; Woodwork [583 Vanderbilt Ave. at Dean Street in Prospect Heights, (718) 857-5777‎].

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Kick it! World Cup comes to Brooklyn

She's got game: Silvana Lima, a waitress at Miss Favela's, shows off her Brazilian pride. Head to the Williamsburg bar to root for the team during the World Cup, or check out our guide below for all the World Cup action.

By Aaron Short

The World Cup kicks off in South Africa this week, but you don’t need to travel the globe to catch the soccer action.

All across Brooklyn, bars and restaurants will be draped with patriotic flags and their boob tubes turned to the games for the international sporting event of the season.

With that, here’s our guide to the best places to catch your favorite team play, from the Australians to the Americans.

The games begin on June 11 and continue through August.

Germany

Radegast Hall and Biergarten [113 N. Third St. at Berry Street in Williamsburg, (718) 963-3973]

Brooklyn’s easy-going, lighthearted German fans are set to conquer Radegast Biergarten in Williamsburg in the hope of rooting for Deutchland to take home the cup this year. The bar’s owners are Slovakian and they describe the beer hall as Austro-Hungarian, but all three countries were under German control once, so what is a few more weeks? With 13 beers on tap and another 45 bottles available, the crowds could get spirited in a hurry, particularly if Germany triumphs. Just don’t expect the Germans to pick up the tab for any of their Greek or Turkish friends.

Brazil

Miss Favela’s [57 S. Fifth St. at Wythe Avenue in Williamsburg, (718) 230-4040]

Every weekend at Miss Favela’s is Carnivale, but it won’t be if Brazil doesn’t advance out of the Group of Death and advance to the finals. Cheer on Kaka and the rest of the team with Brooklyn’s most attractive brunch crowd at Miss Favela’s, which will televise all the games and feature a special menu. Just don’t root against the home team or it could be Kaka for you.

Spain

La Mancha [135 Atlantic Ave. between Henry and Clinton streets in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 797-1975]

Spain has one thing on its mind this year after suffering an early round exit to France in 2006: revenge! Where else to stir the passions of vengeance than at La Mancha in Brooklyn Heights? Just as Pele has anointed Spain as the favorites in this year’s tournament, we at Community Newspaper Group have anointed the paella as our favorite dish at La Mancha. Definitely fiesta with fans of the team that is probably going to win the whole darn thing, while taunting the French who watched the game at Floyd’s.

South Africa

Madiba [195 DeKalb Ave. between Carlton Avenue and Adelphi Street in Fort Greene, (718) 855-9190]

Come for the soccer, stay for the bunny chow, perhaps South Africa’s national dish consisting of a hollowed-out loaf of bread filled with curry. Madiba has certainly been soaking up the attention from being the one South African bar and restaurant in the city when the World Cup is hosted by South Africa. In fact, there’s a whole smorgasbord of comfort food to savor from breyani (rice pilaf with curry and lentils) to samoosas, to chicken wings with spicy peri-peri sauce when South Africa makes a quick exit from the Cup after falling apart to France and Mexico. Sorry, but that’s the reality.

France

Bar Tabac [128 Smith St. at Dean Street in Cobble Hill (718) 923-0918]

The defeat of France following Zinedine Zidane’s ejection in the second half of the epic World Cup title game in 2006 devastated Brooklyn’s Francophiles, but they are a hardy bunch. Head back to Smith Street, Brooklyn’s Champs-Elysees, this summer, and cheer on Thierry Henry and the Rouge, Blanc et Bleu. Be sure to savor your shrimp briochette with a chenin blanc and your steak frites with a Bordeaux, because if you don’t pair your wine with your food properly, France will lose and it will be your fault.

Australia

Sheep Station [149 Fourth Ave. at Douglass Street in Park Slope, (718) 857-4337]

Australia may not have a chance this year, but that won’t stop these Aussies from celebrating win or lose at Sheep Station. With two big screens and drink specials throughout the World Cup season, ex-pats from the outback can at least enjoy each other’s company and extra helpings of beer battered fish and burgers while their team suffers crippling defeat after crippling defeat to Germany and Ghana.

England

Black Horse Pub [568 Fifth Ave. at 16th Street in Park Slope, (718) 788-1975]

It has been 44 years since Mother England won the World Cup, but if Wayne Rooney stops playing like Andy Rooney, this could finally be the year that Queen Elizabeth II hoists the golden cup over her trembling shoulders. Join the fun — or the vicious, heartbreaking agony — at Black Horse Pub in Park Slope, a nascent British pub that may be the feistiest place to drown one’s sorrows on drink specials after the Americans upset England on June 12.

Mexico

Tulcingo Deli [5520 Fifth Ave. between 55th and 56th streets in Sunset Park, (718) 439-2896]

If Mexico happens to advance out of the first round, there could be a party on the streets of Sunset Park with honking horns, waiving flags and impromptu parades. Head to Tulcingo Deli before the game and soak it all in while enjoying among the most delicious carne asada tacos in Brooklyn. Brush up on your Spanish before heading down, but it’s all good. Just remember that futbol means soccer and goooooooooooooooooooooooooaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaalllllllllllllll!!!!!!! means someone just scored.

Greece

Omonia Café [7612 Third Ave. between 76th and 77th streets in Bay Ridge, (718) 491-1435]

Skip Astoria and head to Bay Ridge instead, where a small, but vocal, Greek community will surely be flocking to Omonia Café starting at 8 am to watch the home team try to play its way out of crippling debt, er, we mean out of the opening round. Fans hope that the only inflation they see during the game will be the soccer ball.

Italy

Café Italia [6917 18th Ave. between 69th and 70th streets in Bensonhurst, (718) 234-7010]

Viva Italia! Four years ago, Italy’s thrilling victory in a tense 5-3 overtime shootout against France sent an estimated 10,000 people onto the streets of Bensonhurst, shutting down traffic on 18th Avenue. This year, head back to the place where it all began, Café Italia, where you can cheer for Italy to defend its 2006 title. Forza Italia is probably not going to win again, but if they do … free canolis?

USA

Wheeler’s Restaurant [1707 Sheepshead Bay Rd. near Voorhies Avenue in Sheepshead Bay, (718) 646-9320]

This Sheepshead Bay haunt is as unpretentious as it gets. All the games will be televised during the World Cup, and since the crowd leans toward the Americans, it’ll be a great place to knock back a few while rooting for ol’ Red, White and Blue.

Photo by Stefano Giovannini

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Latest Dodger exhibition at the Historical Society hits a homer!

By Ben Kochman

For Brooklyn baseball fans, the Dodgers’ 1957 move to California was as knee-buckling as a wicked curveball. But for true baseball fans, the love never left.

Starting next month, the Brooklyn Historical Society rekindles the flame with “Home Base: Memories of the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field,” opening on June 3.

Digging deep into its extensive Dodger collection, the Brooklyn Heights-based society has pulled out memorabilia from the borough’s baseball heyday at the Flatbush diamond, including team photos, ticket stubs, old scorebooks from the 19th century, uniforms, baseball cards, and even seats from the Bedford Avenue bandbox, Ebbets Field.

Most valuable of all has to be the celebrated banner from the team’s 1955 World Series win.

In addition to the priceless memorabilia, the exhibition explores the complex relationship between the Dodgers and its home borough. Because here we are, more than 50 years after the fact, and we’re still talking about the one that got away.

“Home Base: Memories of the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field” at the Brooklyn Historical Society [128 Pierrepont St. at Clinton Street in Brooklyn Heights, (718) 222-1241], June 3-April 24, 2011. Opening night celebration from 5:30-7:30 pm. Free. For info, visit www.brooklynhistory.com.

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Super Bowl, super parties

It's the first Sunday of February. That means one thing - Super Bowwwwl!

If you're not content to watch the game from your couch, head to these parties in Brooklyn around 6:30 pm, pick a team, and cheer.

Big screens: As many lanes there are at Brooklyn Bowl, there are screens. Pick one and watch the game this Sunday, and maybe bowl just for the fun of it, too, since you can't play football. Free. Located at 61 Wythe Ave. in Williamsburg.

Going all out: 200 Fifth in Park Slope is the type of bar that just waits for a big sports event, with its 65 TV screens and 40 beers on tap. This Sunday, they're throwing a Super Bowl party, natch. There is a $25 minimum in the restaurant, $30 if you're at the main bar. Located at 200 Fifth Ave.

Mardi Gras: Fort Defiance in Red Hook is celebrating Fat Tuesday early this Sunday, with a New Orleans-themed Super Bowl party. Don Mardi Gras beads and down Hurricanes, Jello shots and Abita while filling up on classic New Orleans fare like fried catfish and muffalettas. Oh yeah, the game will be on too. Starting at 5 pm. Located at 365 Van Brunt St.

Laid-back atmosphere: Park Slope's Pacific Standard will provide the screens, and a mellow alternative to the typical sports bar on the big day. Though there will be beer. Free. Located at 82 Fourth Ave.

Homebody: OK, so if you are staying home to watch the game, the Brooklyn Kitchen in Williamsburg has you covered: "We will be offering a Blitz of our most football-friendly, psychedelic sausages: the infamous Bacon Cheeseburger, Bratwursts, Buffalo Chicken & Bleu Cheese, Spicy Big Bites, Long Dong Bud's, and for the 'Classy' fan, the Red Wine & Rosemary." Oh my. Located at 616 Lorimer St. 718-349-5033.

The Chessbowl: Or, if you're completely avoiding a TV screen and sports bar on Sunday, head to Beer Table, which will be throwing their nerdy alternative, an unofficial chess tournament. Devise your own brackets, just for the hell of it. Free. From 6-10 pm. Located at 427 Seventh Ave.

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Join the Kubb

Image: Team Saucony

The boys behind the Boardgame Olympics at Union Hall are giving it more to Brooklyn this month.

On August 8, Metro Metro hosts a Kubb Tournament at Prospect Park.

Unless you're of Nordic descent, you've most likely never heard of the Viking invention, a lawn game that combines elements of horseshoes, bowling, chess and blocks of wood.

If you're up for the challenge, email them with the name of your team, the team players (only 2-6 people), and their email addresses. They'll confirm your spot, and then you can pay the $20 registration fee via Paypal.

If you're more of a spectator, stop by the Nethermead (a rolling meadow near the center of Prospect Park) and watch this Saturday. Costumes are encouraged.

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