World Cup fever reaches its peak today, when the competition starts in Germany.

MICHAEL CARABOTT caught up with a number of personalities to see what they think will happen in the next 30 days.

Here is what they told him

To men, the World Cup is simply one month of heaven. It gives us licence to take over the television remote control for a whole month, to drink a little bit more than usual and even hug and kiss people of the same sex.

It’s quite an odd time really, with people getting lost in the euphoria of the biggest show on earth. At this peculiar time, which comes every four years, you could put two complete strangers in a room and, within minutes, they would be exchanging views and gossip about the tournament.

Malta, as ever polarised, is usually thought to be divided into two camps – the England camp and the Italy camp – but it runs a bit deeper than that. I caught up with some personalities in Malta and asked them four simple questions. Who will the winner be, who they support, who will be the player of the tournament and what will be the surprise package of the tournament.

Not be outdone, of course, I will give you my own views. I support England, but have a feeling that it will be Brazil that lifts the trophy on the podium. I think the player of the tournament has got to be Ronaldinho, but England’s (and Middlesbrough’s) Stewart Downing could also impress. But the surprise package is a tough one to call. I think I’ll plump for Ghana, but with the US also having a chance.

GWU secretary-general Tony Zarb said he supported Brazil and that they would win the tournament. He thinks Ronaldinho will be the star player and Costa Rica could cause a few upsets.

Opinion setter and economist Alfred Mifsud supports Italy and thinks they are going to win it, with a special tournament for striker Luca Toni. He believes that the Ivory Coast have the potential to do well.

Popular XFM presenters Jay and Ozi opted for some strange choices – but as valid as the rest. Jay believes that Argentina are going to win, much to his chagrin as he is an England supporter who tips centre back John Terry to do very well. He is another backer of the Ivory Coast. He said: “If anything, I would like to add that this summer’s World Cup might be one of the more dramatic tournaments that we have witnessed for a long time! I think that, with the inclusion of new teams from the continent of Africa such as Ghana and the Ivory Coast, we are guaranteed to see some outstanding and fast-paced football. It will also be interesting to see how many fans will come out in support of Australia, what with so many Maltese families having relatives down under. All in all, I just want to see my boys Lampard and Terry on the world stage!”

Ozi, on the other hand, thinks the home nation, Germany, will lift the trophy. Being from down under, Ozi is supporting Oz land (with a soft spot for England, he says). “I have waited 32 years to see Australia in the World Cup and I, with many other Maltese/Australians, am going to enjoy it to the full. Maybe if I wait another 32 years, I’ll get to see Malta in the World Cup!”, he said.

UHM secretary-general Gejtu Vella is as England-through-and-through as they come. He enthusiastically gave his views: “This time it has to be England! I was a young boy when, in 1966, England managed to beat West Germany, winning the World Cup for the first and only time. Since then England supporters, including myself, have been waiting for 40 years with England flags in the cupboards with moth balls. This time, England supporters deserve to get the thrill and joy of lifting the World Cup. On various occasions, England supporters have been so close and yet so far to getting the opportunity to make use of our England flags and score some points with our eternal rivals best known for spaghetti.”

He continued: “Brazil’s Ronaldinho is a player of great talent. Ghana may have the potential and the ability to surprise this side of the World during the forthcoming World Cup tournament. Most of us, including myself, are not accustomed to watching their style and stamina. They are a formidable team and deserve all the praise for their efforts and hard work.”

Columnist Daphne Caruana Galizia, meanwhile, is not at all bothered and seemingly bemused at our football behaviour. “I am reduced to shivering boredom by any form of sport or games, including board games, card games, and football. It is perfectly possible to ignore the World Cup, and that’s exactly what I do.”

Another football enthusiast is Environment Minister George Pullicino. “I just hope that I am going to at least get the chance to watch a game on television. The favourites are going to be Brazil, Argentina, Germany, England and Italy. I think the US might cause an upset and the Czech Republic are also dark horses. Ronaldinho is a very special player.”

MEP Joseph Muscat also went to great lengths to share his views on the tournament. “When you have a line-up bringing together Roberto Carlos, Lucio, Cafu, Juninho, Emerson, Edmilson, Ze Roberto, Cris, Kaka, Robinho, Cicinho, Ronaldo, Ronaldinho and Adriano – just to mention a few – anything short of raising the trophy is a failure. Still, and luckily enough, football is not a logical computer game but a human tragedy full of errors.

“I support Italy, for my sins, but I do have a penchant for underdogs – whom I love to support against the odds. If Lionel Messi recovers in time, he will be great to watch. I will mention a trio worth watching: Ukraine, Ivory Coast and Spain. I have a staunch ‘Italian’ friend who is supporting England for the first time since he is hoping to get the money for his TV back!”

Hotelier Winston J. Zahra said: “Brazil are going to win, but I support England. Ronaldinho is going to light up the stage. I think that the upset teams could be the Ivory Coast... or Italy if they are allowed to participate following the recent scandals!”

Although I corresponded with a fair number of females, most decided that it was their “month of hell”. But not so Minister Dolores Cristina, who was well up to speed. Asked who she thought was going to win, Mrs Cristina answered: “I consulted with my younger son on this one. I think he’s taking the Mickey out of me because he told me to reply ‘Ivory Coast’! I support England. This is a throwback to when I was a young girl and my brother was a staunch England supporter. I myself have very vivid recollections of the 1966 England-Germany Final when the former won 4-2 in extra time.”

She said that since Rooney seems to be out of the World Cup (or part of it), she was going to gamble on Angolan central defender Jamba. Mrs Cristina said she had no idea of who the surprise package might be. “But I wish we could have a repeat of the South Korea-Italy game. I loved that match. But then I love it when the Italians lose because it makes my husband mad and I like to pull his leg! There is always a reason why the Italian team loses …and it is never their fault.”

Archbishop Joseph Mercieca and Bishop Annetto Depasquale were also asked for their views and they both said that while they do not feel they are sufficiently conversant to give answers, they hoped that this much-awaited international festival of sport is truly enjoyed by football enthusiasts and lesser enthusiasts alike, and that the best team wins.

I don’t think anyone could have put it better!