DESPITE not being a profession known for its sporting prowess, a team of Oxford archaeologists are hoping to dig deep and conquer the football fields of Europe.

While the world's attention is focused on the drama unfolding in Russia, the Oxford Bierbarians will compete in the little-known Winckelmann Cup against teams of other archaeologists in Leipzig on Friday.

More used to excavating a field than playing on it, the team's training regime has mostly consisted of drinking beer.

It's a strategy that is set to carry them into the tournament with tactics for victory including getting superior teams to drink more the night before.

Goalkeeper Ben Attfield, 41, said the only thing his profession shares with the likes of Messi and Ronaldo is 'an ability to struggle through in the worst conditions imaginable.'

Playing 20 minute seven-a-side matches against players from France, Germany, the Netherlands and Wales, this will be the tenth year the Bierbarians will compete in the tournament and they are hoping to improve on their ranking of 31st out of 79 teams.

If their abilities on the pitch fail them, the team can always pick up secondary success in the tournament's awards which recognises categories including best dressed and team that gets drunk the most.

Manager Stu Kennedy, 33, who scored two goals dressed as a dinosaur last year, said: "It's fair to say we are one of the teams who don't take it that seriously but we do try hard.

"In all seriousness, it is one of the few occasions we get to play together as a mixed team because there are all sorts of rules and regulations that restrict that in the UK.

"We're taking a big squad this year and our priority is to make sure everyone has a game rather than winning."

The majority of the players work for Oxford Archaeology, based in Osney Mead, who were responsible for large-scale excavation projects in recent years including during the Westgate Centre rebuild.

A few hangers-on are allowed but restrictions state the majority of players must work in archaeology.

Long-standing player Hannah Kennedy, 33, said: "It's always held in location a bit outside of the city centre so the locals are a little shocked when they get 1,500 archaeologists turn up on their doorstep.

"Everyone camps and it's like a mini festival.

"Our main rivals are the over 40s team Gerousia.

"We are hoping to beat them this time - if you play them on the second day, you stand a much better chance.

"The main chant against us is 'not bad for a rowing club' but they were singing in German and we did not know what was going on."

The most likely modern footballer who could be an archaeologist, according to Mrs Kennedy, is Zlatan Ibrahimovic because 'all Swedes love archaeology.'