She's got World Cup fever!

You know when the World Cup is coming up from all the ads on the telly using football to plug a load of stuff from new tellies to crisps.

But you would be forgiven for getting confused about what century it is.

On the ad for Pringles crisps (renamed Pringoooals for the duration of the tournament), three blokes sit munching the savoury snack, watching the footie on the telly, when one of their mobiles rings – it’s his nagging wife asking where he is. To the amusement of his chums, he pretends to be “driving into a tunnel and losing reception” before stuffing his phone into the Pringoooal tube.

Similarly clichéd is the ad for Curry’s where three more chaps are seen trying to convince their disapproving ladies to buy a new big-screen telly so THE BLOKES can watch football.

Blimey, it’s like it’s the DARK AGES! Oi, advertising types (you would be forgiven for shouting at the telly) you do know that a lot of women actually watch (and even PLAY) football too, ya big sexist sausages?! (Feel free to insert your own creative insult instead of sausage as you see fit.)

Happily, in Oxfordshire, there are loads of feisty footie-loving women who are helping to knock those outdated sexist images back where they belong (er, the Dark Ages, that is, as previously mentioned). Take that, Sir Sausage!

Kat Nutman, 21, from Southend, midfielder with Oxford United Women and student at Oxford University studying history 

How did you get into football?

I’m not really sure! My uncle lived with us when I was born, he’s 10 years older than me and he just wanted to play football. I’m a Southend fan – unfortunately – it’s a life sentence.

How excited are you?

Very. I even have a Panini sticker collection, I’ve just bought another 10 packs today. I’ll have to ring my little brother, he’s seven, to see if he wants to do any swapsies.

Who are you supporting if England get knocked out?

I was thinking I needed a back up... I pulled out Algeria in the sweepstake but they won’t do well. I usually go for African teams but maybe Belgium.

Fave players

Ross Barkley if he gets a chance to play, Messi and Ronaldo... I’m just excited to see some good football. I really like watching Spain play.

Where will you be watching and what will you be doing?

If I was at home we go really over the top: flags and face paint, really tacky it up! We’ll have a bit of a spread or get a takeaway so no one has to cook and I’d like to have a few beers and shout at the telly. However I’m still in training for the super league – so fruit and water for me and I’ll probably be watching from the student bar.

Who’s gonna win?

Brazil have a good chance cos they’re at home.

Chloe Smart, 15, schoolgirl and referee from Witney

How did you get into football?

I’ve grown up with it, I’m a big U’s fan and Dad took me Kassam Stadium to see matches when I was young. We’re a U’s family but we also support Dagenham & Redbridge.

I’m also a qualified referee. My dad was doing the qualifications and I just liked the look of it. I referee at the youth games at the United Academy but next year I will be able to ref at open age games. Ultimately I would love to be a Champions League ref – right up at the top.

Do you get any sexist comments?

Not as a fan because there’s so many girls into football. But when you step out onto the pitch as a ref, people look stunned everyone to see a female official. And people are really surprised I’m so knowledgeable.

How excited are you about the World Cup and who will you be supporting?

I’m trying not to get my hopes up and just have fun watching the games. If England get knocked out I’ve got Spain as my back up team – because my grandparents live there.

Fave players

I prefer Messi over Ronaldo. I’d like to see Luke Shaw do well and as it’s Frank Lampard’s last World Cup, I hope it’s a good one for him.

Where will you be watching and what will you be doing?

At home or at the pub, the Angel in Witney, with dad. Ideally with a pizza and a Fanta. I am quite a noisy spectator and I tend not to be too encouraging! I’ll shout things like ‘Get it together!’, it just comes out, I have no control.

Who do you think might win it?

Due to injuries either Spain or Argentina – not Brazil, too obvious. If England won, we’d cheer and brag forever!

Katia Burghard, from Brazil, has lived in Oxford for 20 years and runs a Brazilian snack business – Bolitas from the Covered Market (bolitas.co.uk)

How excited are you and who will you be supporting?

I’m very excited – my family would say too excited as I go absolutely mad and shout at the telly. I’m supporting Brazil obviously – but it’s tricky in my household as I’m half Brazilian and half Italian and my husband is English, so are my three boys (Sam 24, Skaio, 21, Joey 15). Hopefully it won’t be Brazil V England.

What’s your fave football memory?

When Brazil beat Germany in the 2002 World Cup we had invited our German neighbours round to watch – it was just before we were moving to Brazil for three years. It was quite a send off.

Where will you be watching and what will you be doing?

At home – we will watch the England matches with friends – but most of them can’t bear my noise during Brazilian games. I shout in Brazilian – I love football but don’t know all the rules, so the boys are always saying ‘Mum don’t be stupid it wasn’t a corner.’

What do you shout?

Vai Brasil! Que Golaco! Oleeee! [Rough translation: go Brazil, what a goal, and, er, yipeee!] n What’s your choice of snacks and tipples for spectating?

Bolitas [Brazilian cheeseballs] obviously! Most Brazilians grew up eating them – we eat them with wine, beer, coffee and Guarana, made from an Amazonian berry.

Who do you think might win it?

I would love Brazil to win – there’s been a lot of negativity in Brazil about the World Cup – so a win would hopefully please everyone.

Georgie Bolton, 22, from Wantage. Student at Oxford & Cherwell College studying access to nursing and care assistant St Mary’s Convent, Wantage 

How excited are you about the World Cup and who will you be supporting? I’m really looking forward to it – I’m rooting for England obviously! Hopefully with our super fit young team we have a chance this time. I’m being optimistic!

How did you get into football?

My dad is big footie fan and me and my sisters, who are 17 and 19, have just grown up with it. I’m a Reading fan and my dad started taking me to matches when I was very young. Now I go with a bunch of mates. You see a lot of girls at the matches I go to, you get the odd jokey comment, but it’s just not unusual to be a female fan any more

What’s your best football memory?

When we beat Doncaster 3-1 at the end of last season. We had a brilliant day out with friends and the team played well – can’t ask for more.

Fave player

One of my absolute favourites is David Beckham – he shows a lot of passion for the game and for his country.

Where will you be watching the action and what will you be doing?

The O2 Academy in Oxford is showing all the matches on a big screen, so me and my mates will be hanging out there. It’s a great atmosphere and there’s cheap drinks. I will be having my usual print of Carlsberg and a pack of Ready Salted – bit boring but sorted!

Can you image if England won?

No! Everyone would just run around with their arms in the air not quite believing what happened.

Anna Green, 20, from Edinburgh, Oxford University student studying Mathematics and Statistics, and captain of the Blues, the women’s football first team

How did you get into football?

I think I just took it up because my big brother played it when he was younger. I used to do all the sports that he did. My dad was also the coach of his school football team so I guess I was brought up around a keen footballing family. I was scouted during my second last year of primary school for a local team, and didn’t look back after that.

How excited are you about the World Cup and who will you be supporting?

I’m pretty excited about it but I wish my exams weren’t during it! I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for Germany, so I reckon I’ll be backing them. I’m Scottish though, so I’m backing whoever England are playing!

Fave players

It’s easy to list players like Aaron Ramsey and Podolski (for obvious reasons) but I actually do really like Steven Gerrard. Gareth Bale has been incredible this season too, I think it’s a shame that players like him and Ramsey won’t be getting a taste of the World Cup this year.

Where will you be watching the action and what will you be doing?

I’ll try to get down to watch a couple of matches in our college bar for revision breaks!

What would be your choice of snacks and tipples to accompany your spectating?

Love an ice cold beer and some kale crisps.

Who do you think might win it?

I think it is really hard to say, so many team with potential. I’d like to see Germany win it.

Sarah Clutterbuck, 35, from Bicester, player manager at Launton Ladies (launton ladiesfc.co.uk) and assistant buyer at Morleys

How excited are you about the World Cup?

I think it is more apprehension than excitement. I live in hope! I’m going out for my birthday on Saturday, then going to Launton Football Club to watch the match (England V Italy) a win would be a nice present. I’m training for a marathon at the moment so it will be a shandy at most for me though!

How did you get into football?

I’ve grown up with it. I started playing at 14 for Launton. I also played as centre forward for Staines and we won about eight trophies. My parents have a summer house which they’ve turned it into a trophy room [where Sara is pictured] and filled it with mine and my younger brother’s trophies – we played hockey, netball, volleyball, athletics, basketball, swimming – a lot of sports!

Who are your fave players?

I’m hoping Stevie G will pull something out of the bag and I’m quite excited about Lalana – he’s a talented player with a lot of potential.

Who do you think might win it?

Who knows it’s the World Cup so you never know what could happen – Germany, France maybe. But 1966 was a long time ago, so we are owed!