HERE'S a puzzle to wave a flag at. Why is St George suddenly so popular?

Everywhere you turn, the flag of St George is fluttering madly, especially from the windows of passing cars.

How telling that the prospect of Euro 2004 should suddenly bring out all this saintly passion, while St George's Day hardly raises any interest in England's patron saint.

However, after England's sorry performance in last night's soulless draw with Japan, perhaps some of those flags will be drooping a little today.

Updated: 11:28 Wednesday, June 02, 2004