HOW TO MAKE A MALTESE CROSS.

It's an old music hall joke based on the reliance of the UK on Malta as a strategic base in the Mediterranean during the 2nd WW. How do you make a Maltese Cross? (which is their national emblem by the way), but the joke gets interpreted as "how to upset a Maltese inhabitant?"..... stick a poker up his whatsit is the amusing response.

The country, once very much part of the British Second World War campaign, was awarded the George Cross by our King George VI for its "bravery", below!

and sports the Maltese Cross, an ancient national emblem as their flag. Below!!

Right now, down to business as Scotland are beginning their World Cup campaign near the ancient city of M'dina, a "village" called Ta'Qali, today. This enterprise is a multi purpose complex which will host the match. Attractions in this areea include the national vegetable market and the National Park.

The Maltese squad, selected from a national population of nearly 450,000, will include Luke Gambin, a 23 year old, who plays for Barnet FC. There is another squad member who plays for Boa'vista and someone from an Italian club, Arezzo, but the rest are home nurtured. Valetta and Hibernians Cliubs may be familiar to you.

Scotland should not fear the Maltese however having never lost to them, although their first encounter in a 1988 friendly ended in a 1-1 draw and in 1997 the Scots sneaked a 3-2 win away; there have been three other wins for the Scots.

Presently ranked at 176th by FIFA their highest rank was in 1994/5 at 66th. Hard to imagine how? In World Cup fixtures the country has played 92 times, won 2 drawn 9 and scored 30 goals, letting in 275, so there is no excuse. The Maltese in March did draw with Moldova 0-0 in a friendly.

The other good news for the Scots is that Darren Fletcher is making a come back as captain having recovering from his bowel problem and taking over from the retiring Scott Brown this year. So very good luck to him.