THE BIT ON THE SIDE GUIDE TO BELGIUM

* This is Belgium's sixth successive World Cup finals. In qualifying for the competition they broke the record for the number of consecutive appearances in the finals by a team that has not qualified automatically as hosts or holders.

* In 1986, with gifted play-maker Enzo Scifo at the hub of all their attacking play, Belgium got within one step of the World Cup final. They were beaten that year by a Diego Maradona wonder-goal in the semi. But fourth place was still their highest ever tournament finish.

* In USA '94 Belgium defeated their arch-rivals and European neighbours Holland when former Newcastle defender Phillipe Albert grabbed the winner. Then four years later in France, the Dutch again failed to beat Belgium despite the latter surrendering 75 per cent possession.

* Belgium's sobriquet is the Diables Rouges and their best moves are normally channeled through attacking midfielder Marc Wilmots - who has already scored three goals over the past two weeks.

* Two years ago manager Robert Waseige was extremely close to being sacked after a disastrous European Championships in front of their own fans. Belgium were knocked out in the first round but the country's FA decided to stick by their man because he had only been in the job 12 months.

BIG RON WATCH

Northern Echo TV and entertainment editor Viv Hardwick is to thank for finding a website which is keeping tabs on ITV'S co-commentator Ron Atkinson. The site - www.dangerhere.com/ronglish - lists all of the comments Big Ron comes out with during his Ronglish section of the commercial channel's World Cup show. It's definitely worth a peak and we think it is only right that we give a Spotter's Badge to Viv.

THE MITCHELL BROTHERS

On Saturday it was fantastic to see England's midfield bulldogs get to grips with Denmark's Dogs of War.

Nicky Butt and Paul Scholes are two players who are never likely to bottle out of a tackle but against Denmark they were up against a couple of Great Danes, who looked more like the Mitchell brothers from EastEnders than footballers.

This column regularly keeps an eye on our hero Stig Tofting, but alongside Thomas Gravesen in the middle of the pitch it could well have been Phil and Grant competing for a place in the World Cup quarter-finals.

But, apart from Tofting's booking for dissent, they were both kept quiet and it probably would have been more difficult trying to stop Peggy Mitchell bursting through!

TURIN WATCH

The ghost of Turin 1990 is still playing tricks on a former England player who just can't bring himself to say that immortal word - penalty!

Yesterday morning on Radio Five Live Chris Waddle was expert summariser on the Sweden against Senegal game and the word kept coming up again and again. The miss against Germany 12 years ago is still affecting the former Newcastle United, Spurs, Marseille, Sheffield Wednesday, Sunderland, and various other clubs' winger because he just couldn't say it.

Penalty became pelanty and stayed that way - could it be Felling thing?

SOAP WATCH

The Soaps claim to have their finger on the pulse when it comes to the national mood.

It's a fact that they always play football in Albert Square when the European Championships or World Cup comes around and fit in as many hackneyed cliches as they can, but they never discuss the game in the Queen Vic at any other time - men in pubs never talk about football, didn't you know?

EastEnders' Jamie is suddenly sporting a powder blue England jacket but yesterday Coronation Street put its foot right in it.

Tyrone - the one whose best friend was a whippet called Monica - sporting a Brazilian t-shirt ahead of one the biggest games in England's footballing history. The yellow and gold or blue replica shirts will be locked in wardrobes until long after Friday's potential encounter.

But if your reading this and Belgium have shocked the Samba stars then Tyrone is forgiven.

What are the chances of EastEnders filming a special if England reach the final?