Thailand's Health Ministry said it had set up special helplines for people suffering stress or other problems because of the World Cup finals in France. "Dial 3735 if your husband is more interested in the World Cup than you," female callers are told after dialling the main ministry help number, a ministry statement said.

"Dial 3745 if your family is suffering from stress from watching the World Cup or is addicted to World Cup gambling." The Health Ministry said about 8,000 people per day were dialling its main helpline.

Blazevic and `Desert Fox'

Croatian coach Miroslav Blazevic uses pep talks to inspire his team. Ahead of the match against Germany he used Rommel, the `Desert Fox' of World War ll as an analogy. He likened German strikers Jurgen Klinsmann and Oliver Bierhoff to Rommel and his Panzer divisions. "Nobody gave the English a chance against Rommel in the desert," he said. "But Rommel lost because they cut off his fuel supply. In the same way, we cut off thesupply of possession to Klinsmann and Bierhoff."

Fans screened out

Football fans in the Paris suburb of Mantes-La-Jolie have been deprived of their giant screen for the France-Croatia World Cup semi-final on Wednesday. Thieves broke into a local gymnasium where the equipment was stored and made off with the projector, police said. The giant screen has drawn hundreds of local youth for matches involving the French team. Parisians have also lost their giant screen at the Trocadero, across the Seine from the Eiffel Tower. On Wednesday night the `Three Tenors' will be rehearsing a concert they are giving at the Trocadero on Friday.

If the cap fits...

Croatia coach Miroslav Blazevic hopes the cap fits -- all the way to the World Cup final. After his team's second round win over Romania, Blazevic appeared in a French policemen's Kepi and kept it on as a lucky charm for the quarter-final against Germany, which his side won 3-0. Now Blazevic won't go anywhere without the distinctive headgear.French daily France Soir said that police sergeant Jean-Luc Provot had insisted on giving Blazevic the cap as a sign of friendship.

Kisses from Miss France

Sophie Thalmann is not just a pretty face. Miss France 1998 can write as well. She has sent a letter to the French team wishing them luck for their semifinal showdown with Croatia tonight. ``Also give each of the players a kiss from me,'' she told coach Aime Jacquet. Lucky players!!!

Cheap at the price?

World Cup referees are being paid $ 25,000 for their exertions at France '98, FIFA revealed yesterday, while assistant referees get $ 20,000. The men in the middle also get pocket money of $ 200 a day.