SHAMELESSLY PARTISAN

National excitement was in the air today as England prepared for their crucial match against Slovenia. Pubs were packed. Some folk skivved off work. Football-related discussions could be overheard in shops among the most unlikely of people. Everyone had an opinion. Mostly it went along the lines of "Rooney-is-rubbish-and-why-doesn't-Capello-play-Joe-Cole?"

I'd even decorated my car (and that's my Dad in the background!).

Well, it was a tense and nail-biting ninety-three minutes and Slovenia proved worthy opponents, but eventually the final whistle blew and we could all start singing:

"Three Lions on a shirt,

Jules Rimet still gleaming

Thirty years of hurt

Never stopped me dreaming."

SO, the big question remains. Will England bring home the World Cup again?

And who do you think is going to be in the final?