Such is the fixation with the English Premier League, it has never been far from commentators' lips during Euro 2008, despite the fact that the only person representing England is Fabio Capello.

The England coach sits in the stands watching the likes of Croatia and Russia, still giggling at the thought of Steve McClaren failing to guide his mighty millionaires past either.

And he's Italian.

Other than that, Euro 2008 has been about as English as total football.

Of course, there will be neutrals who would prefer to see Peter Crouch clattering into defenders today, rather than watch Andrei Arshavin dance past Carles Puyol and Carlos Marchena.

With no England and no Crouch, Euro 2008 commentators will have to make do with Spain and Russia.

But old habits die hard.

During what promises to be an intriguing semi-final, take note of how the EPL will still slip into the subconscious at every opportunity.

In the quarter-finals, it was inescapable. According to my TV commentator, Arsenal's Cesc Fabregas lined up to take the decisive penalty against Italy.

Arsenal v Italy?

Arsenal fans everywhere will be willing Fabregas on to score, I was told. Were they?

Nevertheless, some of the links made between both Euro semi-finals and the world's most popular sporting league are as desperate as they are tenuous.

Chelsea's Michael Ballack takes on Middlesbrough's Tuncay Sanli. Arsenal's Fabregas faces Arshavin, who will definitely, probably, maybe play in the EPL next season.

Commentators and pundits just love playing the England game.

The main goal-scoring threat for Russia will be Roman Pavlyuchenko, who has scored three Euro goals but, far more importantly, hit the target twice against England in the qualifiers.

Spain's David Villa, Euro 2008's most impressive striker, has no concrete connection to the EPL, so he has been linked to Tottenham because Spurs get linked with every major striker in world football during the off-season.

Heaven forbid Euro 2008 throws up a talent who cannot be associated with Probably The Greatest Football Nation In The World.

With England not at Euro 2008, the absence of excessive jingoistic sentiment has been most welcome, but it still feels like England are involved.

Spain and Russia might be contesting the semi-final, but Chelsea, Arsenal, Tottenham or even 'Nick Barmby' will probably still win it for them.

stsports@sph.com.sg