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After watching England's performance in the European Championships recently, you might think you could do better yourself. Timothy Gloss, programmer of the CRASH Smashes I Ball and I Ball 2, now gives you the opportunity to play European 5-A-Side.

The match is played on an aerially viewed, vertically scrolling pitch surrounded by a barrier against which you can bounce the ball to pass an opponent.

You always control the player nearest to the ball; highlighted by a flashing arrow. Dribbling is automatic and tackling is achieved by colliding with the player in possession. You can kick along the ground or into the air. The ball's size gives an indication of its height.

The goalkeeper can only be controlled when the ball goes inside the six yard box. He can dive left or right and, if he makes contact with the ball, immediately lobs it up the field.

Joysticks: Kempston, Sinclair
Graphics: smoothly animated, monochromatic sprites
Sound: snappy title tune plus spot effects and the odd piece of digitised speech
Options: one or two players, choice of pitch colour and match duration

'I couldn't believe it when I heard that Timothy Class had written a football game, but the first thing that strikes you about the presentation of European 5-ASide is its similarity to the superb I Ball games. There's even the same use of digitised speech which, unfortunately, isn't quite as clear. The overhead view is certainly a new angle to football games, though the players move quite slowly, especially when there are several on the screen. The real disappointment is that the computer team presents no challenge whatsoever. The only redeeming feature is the two-player mode which should increase the testability of the game. European 5-A-Side is not in the same league as Match Day II but at the price it's not too bad and should appeal more to younger football fans.'

'I have never been overly fond of football games, and European 5-A-Side has done absolutely nothing to change this opinion. Graphically the game has some nice touches - especially the bird's eye view of the pitch. But sadly, the whole game is far too easy to play.'