ENGLAND'S do-or-die match with Germany tomorrow in Euro 2000 carries the dreams of millions of fans.

Christine Fazackerley, wife of former Blackburn Rovers player Derek, has been putting up with the game's highs and lows for more than 20 years and she's still on the front line as Derek is one of England's coaching squad. She spoke to reporter AMY BINNS about her hopes and fears before the most important football game of the summer. And she insisted: "England can still do it."

MRS Derek Fazackerley is a wife and a mother with a full-time job of her own -- so she tends to combine watching football on TV with catching up on her house work.

But the ironing didn't go according to plan on Monday night.

Christine explained: "I was ironing during the game against Portugal and for the first 20 minutes my creases were perfect. After that, I was so agitated I didn't look at the clothes much!"

If a 3-2 defeat after being 2-0 up didn't help Christine's concentration, it did even less for her husband's mood. But both remain positive about the rest of the tournament.

"He was terribly disappointed when he rang me on Monday," she said. "He has always kept his football separate from his family life and he wouldn't mention it if I didn't ask him, although he was obviously upset.

"But he is still optimistic. You have to continue believing you can win. In fact, I hope I don't see him until July because that will mean they've reached the final. I'm still confident we can do well."

Derek hasn't spoken to Christine about the abuse handed out to David Beckham by some England fans after the Portugal game, but as a wife and mother she couldn't help feeling for the player.

She said: "It seems to be how we are in this country. But I think it is awful and undeserved and I wouldn't like my children to be subjected to that." Christine, who works as a physiotherapist for the physically disabled and has three children, is used to being on her own as Derek has often had to spend time away from their home in Langho, Blackburn.

After he finished playing for Rovers, he worked as a coach in Finland, Chester and York before spending three years at Newcastle and then returning to Ewood as a coach under former manager Roy Hodgson.

The family decided to stay in Blackburn rather than disrupt their children's education by moving, so Christine saw Derek only at weekends while he was working out of the area.

At Newcastle he met future England boss Kevin Keegan who offered Derek a job with the squad after he left Rovers 18 months ago.

She said: "He's obviously away at the moment but generally I see more of him now than I ever have done as he does a lot of work from home.

"It's a bit strange having him back but I'm getting used to it."

Christine, 50, plans to watch the final group game against Romania next Tuesday -- although she might have to hide behind the ironing board at times!

She said: "I don't really enjoy watching because I get so nervous. My stomach's churning even now thinking about tomorrow's game.

The couple's son James, 20, went to the Portugal game and Christine and her youngest daughter Elizabeth, 16, are being flown out for tomorrow's clash by the FA. They will be flown straight in and out so she won't see Derek, but the couple speak on the phone at least once a day.

Away from the England scene, Christine is still a football fan. She said: "I enjoy going to see Blackburn Rovers more now than I did when Derek was playing because I was nervous watching him.

"I even get worked up about the friendlies, and this is the first major tournament since Derek began working with the team.

"This is what they've been working towards. I feel very involved."

Picture: Christine Fazackerley relaxes at home in Langho with one of her Persian cats