After the nail-biting play off matches against Scotland and then the seemingly endless months of hype, it's finally here.

Euro 2000, which kicks off in Brussels today as co-hosts Belgium take on Sweden, has a lot to live up to.

Memories of England's last dramatic exit from the competition, when they lost on penalties to Germany in the semi-finals of Euro '96, are still etched on fans' brains.

Armchair managers in Bradford, like others up and down the country, have exhaustively analysed England coach Kevin Keegan's every decision.

In homes throughout the land fans of the game will be holding their breath in collective anticipation for Monday as England prepare to meet Portugal.

And in pubs in Bradford staff are preparing for a hectic, but fun-packed, three and a half weeks.

Colin and Angela Hindley, the landlord and landlady of Hudson's in Bradford's Great Horton Road, have come up with a novel attraction for the die-hard England fan.

Before every match featuring the national side they will hold a raffle, with a special 'VIP table' as first prize.

The lucky winners will be given a seat with the very best view of the 50-inch TV screen, and will be waited on during the whole 90 minutes, with complimentary drinks and sandwiches.

During every game Angela and Colin will also run a promotion called Red Card Yellow Card, that rewards drinkers with a special deal every time a player is penalised.

A caution will mark the start of a five minute buy two, get one free promotion on certain drinks, while a sending off will mean a free drink for every one purchased.

Angela joked: "We're hoping for lots of dirty games!

"But seriously we're expecting a very busy time, and hoping for a good, lively atmosphere.

"The pub has been decorated inside and out with flags of all the countries taking part and the Union Jack."

Asked for her prediction of how England will get on this time, Angela revealed that she was a little preoccupied at the moment.

"I'm nine months pregnant and waiting to have a baby so football is the last thing on my mind!

"But I think England will do all right."

The red carpet treatment is also in store for regulars at the Oddfellows Arms Hungry Horse pub, which will treat raffle winners to a specially designed Euro 2000 'throne'.

Four pints of Carling Black Label lager, a bucket of burgers and the best seat in the house all go to the winner, courtesy of managers Tristan and Sarah Keates.

And it's not just pubs that have been getting in on the football action.

The Bostock and Crowther chain of bakers has kitted out some of its gingerbread men in England kits for the occasion.

And Bradford's Sainsbury's superstore plans to bring out a special line of cakes, to complement its own edible team, if England get through to the final.

Sports and leisure shops have been enjoying strong sales of replica kits in the run-up to the tournament which still show no signs of falling away.

Karl, assistant manager at JD Sports, Bradford, said: "The only kit we sell is the England one and it's been absolutely flying off the shelves, it's gone out big time ever since the hype for Euro 2000 began.

"We've got various styles of shirts and shorts with the England logo on but it's been the replica top that's done the best."

Allsports is also reporting lively trade for 'three lions' merchandise.

"Polo shirts, t-shirts, shorts, anything that has England on it is selling very well," said sales assistant Fiona Crawford.

Staff at Yorkshire Water are running a charity sweepstake, based on predictions of the group and overall winners.

Entry fee money will go to the Waterwheelers Appeal, which is raising funds for Leeds General Infirmary's Chest campaign.

A spokeswoman said: "An awful lot of people have taken this on, we've all got our prediction sheets stuck to our walls, and it's an excellent way of having fun and raising money."

Never ones to miss a trick, insurance companies are urging people to check their home policies in case match celebrations in front of the TV get out of hand.

Liverpool Victoria is stressing the importance of having Accidental Damage cover, which can provide compensation for spilt red wine disasters or cigarette burns on the sofa.

Otley-based Korks Wine Bar & Brasserie, meanwhile, is laying on a real feast for football fans hungry for a piece of the action during Euro 2000.

As well as showing all of the England matches the bar in Bondgate will be running a £1 drinks promotion and a buffet of foods from Germany, Romania and Portugal - England's three first phase opponents.

In addition a table top football tournament, mirroring the structure of Euro 2000, will be held on the evening of each of England's group games.

A stadium-feel will be recreated in Korks' back room, venue for the mini tournament, with a £2 per person entry charge going towards a charity chosen by each night's table champions.

The victors will also receive a free meal for two in the a la carte restaurant.

Bar owner and England fan Chris Payne explained: "We're looking to do something completely different and this way we'll be raising some money for charity too.

"We've done our research on the dishes and will be putting on a small buffet for all those attending, although we're not entirely sure how the sauerkraut will go down!

"It might just turn out to be Eurourghhhh 2000!"

Korks will also be holding a football quiz to tie in with each group game.

Back in Bradford, staff at the Freestyle and Firkin in Morley Street will be offering face painting sessions an hour before every match.

The service will be free to anyone who fancies having a St George's flag across their face for the remainder of the day!

The pub will also be serving pie and peas at half-time and running a full-time quiz, with a gallon of beer as first prize.

In Shipley the landlady and landlord of The Branch Hotel, Maggie and Chris Pope, are hoping for a long, successful English run in the competition.

The couple are running a paper football prize scheme with every pint of Carlsberg bought and laying on a range of hot food for each match in the pub, which is adorned with flags.

Maggie said: "We are hoping to get big crowds in because we did very well in the World Cup with England, we're just hoping and praying they don't go out early this time.

"We're very lucky with the usual crowd we get here, we have a very nice atmosphere and there's no trouble, so we hope that continues."

Mrs Pope, like bar staff all over the district and the country, hopes to be pouring many a celebratory pint on Monday night after England's opening encounter with Portugal in Eindhoven.

e-mail: jim.jack@bradford.newsquest.co.uk

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.