Maybe, just maybe the hype of the tournament might get a few of the regions new footi enthusiasts (I've heard several cases of non believers getting excited about the sport this summer) rolling up to Ewood to see live games. Lucky for us the seats aren't available at other grounds, and if we have a few decent results early on we could get some hooked. Maybe us long term sufferers and addicts should warn the poor misguided fools.

Not that long ago it was the Rugby World Cup where everyone in England seemed to become Rugby Union fans and experts on the sport. The last few weeks many of the same have forgotten about that sport and moved on to footi. Nothing wrong with it, but as the original post mentioned where are the same people during the season (except at cup finals). Whilst we're on the subject, has anyone else heard of ManU fans claiming to be totally uninterested in England and football internationals? Heard it about one of their fans, and thought it a wind up, then remembered wondering why there didn't seem to be any Manu flags in the stadium for the Croatia v England game. The evil Imperial Lord Ferg is obviously anti-internationals by other managers taking his boys away from the PLC, but I hadn't heard of their fans taking a similar view.

State of Bengal : Tana Tani Scissor Sisters : Scissor Sisters Much better than I expected. Comfortably Numb paid off big time, despite being a Pink Floyd cover done in the style of the Bee Gees! 'T*tz on the Radio' a good tune too.

Squad strength and depth was a factor tonight, and could be again for the world cup qualifiers. Figo wasn't having the best of games but was replaced to good effect. Beckham wasn't having the best of games, but there wasn't a handy replacement for him. Comparing both teams substitutions tonight, I think Scolari had an easier job than Sven, with the attacking options available to him.

Conspiracy theory time.... Which team won the toss and said you take the first one down that end? Which keeper was stood over the penalty spot, arguing with the ref. till the last possible moment? Which English player would have been expected to take the first penalty having fallen over taking one in a previous tournement, and who may fall foul of an interfered with penalty spot? Why did the penalty spot become quick sand? and.. Was it me or did a cunningly disguised JCB digger appear in the box for a couple of minutes, before the penalty shoot out? The public, and the voices in my head have the right to know..

Story was in another London rag Jimbo (The Pall Mall Gazette), must be fibs. - A Sudanese Arab (from the Northern Horde of Uncouth Garb and Strange Oaths)

Sorry if it's been said earlier on in the thread, but Barthez claimed to have done his homework, knowing where Beckham takes (or used to before signing for Real) Penalties. Having played in the same team as the penalty taker would have helped. Maybe for that game, another penalty taker could have been nominated, perhaps someone who had taken a couple last season. James interviewed today said he also did his homework watching French free kicks and penalties, but the video he studied had none by Zidane!!!!! To make matters worse he said the source of this crucial off pitch training material, on which the national team depended was a 'mate'. With hindsight, maybe the 'Bend it like Platini' video from Woolworths with a quarter of pick'n'mix wasn't the best pre-match preparation.

We have a new face off... Randy Duck vs. Rasputin, for the title of 'Hardest Lurve God'

Perhaps with a fake picture of him?

That's great news, and as well as the club benfitting from his match day contributions, I hope the younger players coming through will learn and be inspired by his experience, skill and creativity.

If only available at the end of the season in Norway, Pederson would be pretty knackered then playing nearly another full season without a decent break.

Sounds like Molly Malone... She wheeled her wheelbarrow, Through Streets broad and narrow, Singing "Cockles and Mussels alive alive-O" or "singing (clap clap, clap clap clap, clap clap clap) ROVERS"

we take our time to learn your language, so then its only fair that you do the same, right? Wasn't sure if it was a wind-up, but some Swedish friends told me the toast 'Skol/Skal' is derived from an old Scandinavian language and as the same word as skull. They also told me that legend has it, that this was because the skulls of conquered foe of some of the Vikingswere used as drinking cups, and when celebrating, the craniums/cups were banged together as drinkers shouted 'Skol'. Not sure if it's true, but a good story all the same

Praise for Pedersen by Henning Berg. If Henning telling him about Jack's Chippy in Great Harwood, Pedersen will be itching for the Ewood switch.

No smirking please, there's nothing wrong with someone showing consideration for others. Debs knew some of us wouldn't be too steady on our pins leaving the Blues Bar, and quickly set about a health and safety risk assessment of the Ewood paving, as on the main route of our exit, and means of escape. Her speech bubble would of course have read "thought so, this rogue block stands over 20 mil. proud of the level surface, and consitutes a trip hazard. Cone off the area at once, and let the good people of the Blues Bar leave in safety as they go". Or am I missing something?

Have reminded 'The Gaffer' Mushy. Suggested an early season match to avoid a fixture clash. (tried to PM you but your mailbox is full to bursting)

Must have been those 'Cheeky Vimto's' we were drinking. For those of you feeling rough on Sunday, spare a thought for us living dead of the London Branch trying to play football at Brockhall in the afternoon heat. Even Cath's goalkeeping talents couldn't have saved us Cocker, we lost 11-2 to The Fieldens Arms. It could have been a worse scoreline but for us sneaking on (goal hero) Mushy as a ringer. Thanks again Mushy.

Beleza! Beleza!! Beleza!!! by Trio Mocoto is nice chirpy Brazilian album for the summer.

Try this one, it's already had a cockatoo. Yep like that one, but all the suggestions were very good! Robin, if you're not up on Saturday will get you a pint next time we're darrrn saaarrff, halves for all the runners up who are there on Saturday evening! That's settled it, will have to come up for the match now. Will try and get to the Blues bar after the game

He was behind me too. Can't say for sure although possibly an Arsenal fan hoping to gloat if Spurs had lost. Doubt he was a true fan as he seemed to be cheering on 'Blackburn' rather than 'the Rovers.'

Slip them a 'Pony' Bryan, and they might let you borrow the (cara)'Vaaan'.

With recent reports on the sexual vernacular of footballers, this surely conjures up an image too unpleasant to countenance. Btw. who else was involved (allegedly) Delia Smith was also recently in the headlines as Everton (champions of race relations) claimed City fans subjected a black Everton player to racial insults. Arguing that the fans had targetted Rooney as a 'fat' (rather than another player as 'black') so and so, she will refuse to use the ticket provided by the Everton board when Norwich visit Goodison next season, and will instead sit with the fans.

Gilpins Bell a few minutes from White Hart Lane train station, or a fair old hike/bus/taxi ride from Seven Sisters tube. Outside Liverpool Street Station noonish is bonus pub the Railway Tavern

Try this one, it's already had a cockatoo.

With successful involvement in various clubs being relegated from at least 2 divisions, Glenn Roeder has got to be in with a shout.