Dear Sir,

What a week of World Cup friendlies, Mr Editor!

Just yesterday — Saturday — I heard a spate of honking horns along Camden Stretch and after a quick tinge of annoyance, I realised that one of the cars ahead of me was flying Portuguese flags. (Aha! Upon checking the schedule later, Bruno Fernandes had just scored in the Portugal-Chile friendly).

So brace yourself peeps — it's gonna be a full month of not-exactly-legal horn-honking on our roads.

You know what I'm talkin' about.

Now, the real reason I'm writing was to say how heartening it is to hear (once again) the national anthems ring out pre-game as the camera sweeps across both teams, while they enthusiastically sing the words, many with hand on hearts.

This pride in their countries — current or ancestral — permeates the tournament.

So wherever you're from, make some noise and enjoy the ultimate experience of the beautiful game — the World Cup!

PAMELA H. WILLCOCKS

Smith's