WHEN England takes on Brazil in an under-17s football match tomorrow at the Reebok it will be more than just 22 players going head-to-head -- it will be a culture clash.
For 90 minutes, the home of Bolton Wanderers will be the scene of two sets of supporters and players who could not be more different.
But the differences end on the pitch.
Brazilian beauties will no doubt grace the stadium with their Latino spirit -- but our girls will match their enthusiasm in a more down-to-earth way.
As the song goes, they may have The Girl from Ipanema -- supermodel Gisele Bundchen, who hails from that Brazilian city -- but we have The Girl from Little Lever -- ex-model Sara Cox.
Both girls love their dogs -- with Sara often being upstaged by her basset hound, and Gisele never leaving the house without her miniature terrier.
The pair also plan to marry soon -- but not to each other, of course.
Sara is set to tie the knot with her DJ Jon Carter while Gisele will walk down the aisle with Hollywood heart-throb Leonardo Di Caprio.
Sultry sounds are becoming a popular Brazilian export on these shores -- and samba, rumba and salsa are definitely catching on in Bolton.
Brazilian fashion, too, translates well from the exotic setting of South America to our colder climes.
We all know visitors from around the globe live it up at the world-famous Rio Carnival -- yet that does not mean Bolton carnivals are organised with any less passion.
Yes, they have Sugar Loaf Mountain, but, hey, we have Winter Hill.
Then there is the football. One is the best footballing nation in the world, the other one not quite as good -- you can decide which is which.
And how about Pele -- the greatest football-player ever, admired by any self-respecting football fan in Bolton and the rest of the world. But we've got Nat Lofthouse.
There are more similarities between us than you think.
In Brazil, boys may play football on sun-drenched beaches while youngsters kick a ball about in rain-soaked parks here.
But the love of football is as great here as it is in Brazil.
Brazilians are famous for putting their heart and soul into their teams. But, as reported in the BEN, recent research shows Wanderers' fans suffer as much stress after relegation as victims of an avalanche.
And after all, Wanderers' has that touch of glamour which seems to come natural to Brazilian clubs, too.
Bolton fans will soon be among the most famous in the country with their photograph plastered on Radio Five billboards across the country.
The 300 supporters who posed for the poster were given complementary tickets for the clash and many more are expected to be at the Reebok -- a stadium which is one of the most attractive in the country.
And of course, Bolton has their very own Samba FC -- a football team which model themselves on their flamboyant Brazilian idols.
Club founder Mark Price and his team sport the complete Brazilian outfit, they have the warm-up sweatshirts, the full tracksuits, nets, corner flags, towels, drinks bottles and every authentic accessory you can imagine.
They play in the Pioneer Sunday League with the same system as Brazil -- wing backs pushing forward and three at the back.
The players have even given themselves Brazilian names. So the Brazilians could be in for a surprise when they arrive in town tomorrow.
The match -- the final game in a three team Nationwide International Tournament which includes Italy -- kicks off at 4pm tomorrow.
Tickets are priced £3 for adults, free for OAPs and children under 16 who are accompanied by an adult.
For your chance to see the future stars of England -- Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard once graced the under-17s -- call the Reebok ticket office on 673601. Tickets will be available on the night.
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