England flags all over the house for World Cup – tacky, but in a good way

The main event finally got started last night with an entertaining 3-1 win for Brazil over Croatia. Yes, Croatia were stitched right up – an abject refereeing performance featured a dodgy penalty being awarded to Brazil for a dive by Fred, and later, a fair challenge on the Brazilian goalkeeper was given as a foul, when a goal would surely have ensued – but there were goals, plenty of incident and a passionately sung anthem (one verse wasn’t enough so the Brazilian players and fans went for an acapella second). The World Cup is here and it feels good.

After last night’s taster, the wall-to-wall splendidness starts tonight - three matches in a row, with the Netherlands v Spain (8pm) looking the tastiest match of not just tonight, but the whole group stage. Then tomorrow, England’s participation begins with an 11pm kick-off against Italy (one of a glorious four fixtures in the day). Hopefully it won’t be all over for us ten days later with group stage elimination. Those England flags will look pretty sad draped over homes once we've been knocked out.

But what do you think about those flags? The Daily Mail ran this article today asking whether houses covered in flags of St George are patriotic or tacky. For me, the answer is both. Yes they are a bit tacky, but so what?

Expectations of England at this tournament are refreshingly low from the press and the majority of fans alike, and that’s probably a good thing, but alongside those downbeat thoughts about our chances, it’s actually quite nice that some do still have that unrealistic, unstinting positivity. If that manifests itself in a flag or flags on their house, fair play to them – it brightens the place up a bit.

Also, it’s not like the flags are an infringement on the privacy of neighbours. Over-the-topppedness at Christmas time means singing santas on the lawn and the light pollution caused by millions of twinkling bulbs, and one can understand the irritation for those living beside or around it. If you happen to live next to a house adorned with red and white at World Cup time, the worst you’re likely to get is the flags flapping in the wind.

I think those that want to show their patriotism in the form of flags should be encouraged. How often have you heard someone say – or maybe you’ve thought to yourself – how come St Patrick’s Day is celebrated so much here, when St George’s Day barely gets a look in? Well, now’s the time to put that right.

The World Cup only comes around every four years, and major international tournaments of any kind only once every two, so it makes sense to make the most of it. I don’t know why, but I’ve been excited more about this one than about any tournament since Euro 96. I just bloody love the World Cup, and if flags are anything to go by, it’s good to see that I’m not alone.

So whether your flag is big or small (my mum and dad will once again be putting up their pathetic postage stamp flag in the window), it all counts. Be patriotic, and for once, be proud to be tacky.