Gazza at The Times

Former football star Paul Gascoigne yesterday paid a visit to The Times' offices in Valletta, ahead of this evening's Italy vs England Legends match at the Ta' Qali stadium.

Sporting a tan and wearing a sleeveless top, Gascoigne met with the staff of Allied Newspapers and leafed through old copies of The Times.

"I was invited to Malta because they are crazy about football here... I love the game and obviously there are some great players from the past playing in this match. I'm playing against some good players I played with at Lazio, like Beppe Signori, and quality players like (Franco) Baresi - and you never think you'll have the chance of playing against players like them."

Has he got any old scores to settle?

"Yes, Beppe Signori owes me £5," he laughed... "We got beaten by Italy during the 1990 World Cup and obviously we'd like to get that back."

Some of football's greatest names will be gracing Ta' Qali this evening for a football match expected to rekindle the Italy vs England passion synonymous with Malta.

Players Paolo Rossi, Claudio Gentile, Ray Wilkins, David Platt and Chris Waddle and singers Eros Ramazzotti and Craig David are among those expected to don their football boots for this evening's hot fixture, the first of its kind in Malta. The doors to the stadium open at 5.30 p.m. and a series of activities will precede the match, including a penalty shoot-out against the goalkeepers of both countries. The penalty takers were selected following a competition run by The Times.

After the match, fans have the chance to attend a five-course dinner with the stars at the MFCC, adjacent to the stadium.

www.maltamusicfestival.com