Talking Balls: Bicycle Kicks, Gridiron, Swamp Soccer & Posh Pugilism

This week football fans in China are in for a huge treat. Manchester United take on Shanghai Shenhua down south and Manchester City and Arsenal are here in Beijing. Arsenal are holding an open training session at the Olympic Sports Center ( across from the Bird's Nest) on the 26th from 8pm. Before that there's a fan party there frm 4-6pm. Four Arsenal players will be in attendance.

The Gunners are also looking for translators so if you think your Chinese is up to the task of translating "over the moon" and "at the end of the day" then click here.

Fredi Kanoute made his Beijing Guoan bow in the China Derby against Shanghai Shenhua and nearly marked it with a bicycle kick goal. The Blue Devils beat the Green Machine 3-1. There's lots more to digest on Wild East Football. Guoan got on better in the last 16 of the CFA Cup beating Qingdao 6-0. There was a more successful bicycle kick in that game from Joffre Guerron.

The Beijing leg of the Swamp Soccer World Championships finished up last week. We bottled playing but the Telegraph didn't bottle photographing it. Here's a gallery.

In the other kind of football, the Beijing Guardians are taking on the Philippines Punishers in China's first ever international game. It takes place at 5pm on the 28th but to find out where (and book seats) you need to email them. They're also looking for assistant officials and a statologist.

Finally, for all you hard men and women, White Collar Boxing China are bringing the Brawl on the Bund concept up here for the Brawl on the Wall. The info meeting takes place at Scarlett on July 30. Training begins at Chaowai Soho's Glee Gym from August 17. Sign up and you may fight in front of 500 people come November. Let your inner Rocky out.

Photo: 101GreatGoals