1966 and all that
1966 to 2006 - got a bit of a ring about it, hasn't it?
Forty years on from English football's greatest achievement, the chattering football classes (that's just about everyone, then) reckon we're in with our best shout since Geoff, Bobby, Nobby, Jules Rimet still gleaming and all that.
For the moment, let us take you back, way back...
It's 1966, and England rejoiced as Geoff Hurst became the first and so far only man to score hat-trick in a World Cup final, seeing off West Germany at Wembley for Sir Alf Ramsey's wingless wonders.
Derided before the competition, Ramsey's side came good at exactly the right time, as Brazil's hopes of landing a third straight title were thwarted.
England eased through the group stages without a conceding a goal, despite failing to convince. But it was North Korea who made all the headlines with a stunning 1-0 win over Italy at Middlesbrough's Ayresome Park that sent the Azzurri home early.
Joining them were holders Brazil, who were beaten by both Hungary and Portugal as they could only finish third in Group Three.
In the quarter-finals West Germany and Russia edged though, while England beat Argentina 1-0 at Wembley thanks to a Hurst header, with the South Americans' roughhouse tactics rewarded with the sending-off of skipper Antonio Rattin.
Amazingly, North Korea threatened another upset as they powered into a three-goal lead against Portugal. But the great Eusebio inspired a comeback, his side winning the day 5-3 at Goodison Park.
In the semis, West Germany saw off Russia 2-1, while England won by the same score against Portugal, with Bobby Charlton powering home both goals.
The Wembley final started badly for England as Helmut Haller fired in a 13th minute opener, but Hurst swooped for his first of the game six minutes later, heading home Bobby Moore's free-kick.
When the German defence failed to clear a corner and Martin Peters rifled in England's second 12 minutes from time, the nation waited to celebrate, only for Wolfgang Weber to make it 2-2 right at the death.
Ramsey's pep talk for extra-time famously described the Germans as finished. And soon they were as Alan Ball centred for Hurst to knock in his second, with a large slice of help famously coming from the Russian linesman.
Any doubts over that goal were extinguished as time ebbed away, Hurst running clear to smack in a left-footer past Hans Tilkowski to make the final score 4-2 and allow England to celebrate a famous victory on home soil.
Cue Kenneth Wolstenholme and that "They Think It's All Over..." malarkey.
Has Motty got a similar killer line up his sleeve for Germany 2006?