After all the anticipation and talk, the World Cup is finally here. And on this football mad island, it is the only competition that is more passionately followed than our other national pastime, politics.

Bars, restaurants and clubs can expect to attract bigger crowds than usual over the next month, and there is not a single establishment in the popular nightspots of Paceville and Bugibba that is not advertising the competition in some way or another.

With big screens becoming more and more popular, the owners of several establishment have invested in state-of-the-art technology, but they are expecting the crowds to congregate in their hundreds every time one of the four “big teams” play.

And who are the four “big” ones? Well, they are obviously England, Italy, Germany and Brazil, probably in that order of support, although the “Italians” might debate this.

The national flag of these four countries can be seen flying high on residences and balconies, and many more will come out of the drawers if these teams win a game. Carcades are expected to be the order of the day, whether to celebrate a win or even a rival’s defeat.

Bar owners will obviously be keeping their fingers crossed that the English and Italians teams advance as far as possible, as this will mean more business. Interest in the competition wanes when one of these two teams is eliminated. With Brazil the hot favourites this time around, it is obvious that a number of supporters will don the yellow and green colours, while Germany will also have the backing of hundreds of supporters.

Stay glued to your TV and sit back to enjoy the greatest football feast that only comes once every four years.