Roller hockey (hockey patines in Spanish and hoquei patins in Catalan) is rapidly gaining on traditional field hockey in terms of popularity. It is much like ice hockey (and can be just as boisterous). Catalonia - the region where the sport is most rigorously played and followed - is home to most Spanish roller hockey clubs. And these top-level teams, most notably FC Barcelona and Reus Deportiu Hockey, set the standard for the rest of Spain. In fact, roller hockey is so popular here that it was included in the Olympic Games programme for the first time in Barcelona in 1992, as a demonstration sport. If you want to give it a try, check out the Spanish Association for Roller Hockey Trainers (www.aeehp.com) as they list the principal clubs in Spain. Buscahockey.com is also a useful website. In terms of playing, FC Barcelona (93 496 36 00, www.fcbarcelona.com) has a number of professional men’s teams competing in national and international leagues. Alternatively try one of the following, more low-key clubs: Sants-Montjuïc Club Hoquei Patins (93 491 05 49, santsmontjuic@esportbarrio.com), Patí Hoquei Club Sant Cugat (www.phcsantcugat.com) or Club Patí Congrés (93 408 13 34, Carrer Portugal 1, Sant Andreu).