PARIS, July 7: (AFP): World Cup notebook:

Croatia coach Miroslav Blazevic hopes the cap fits — all the way to the World Cup final.

After his team’s second round win over Romania. Blazevic appeared in a French policeman's cap and kept it on as a lucky charm for the quarterfinal against Germany, which his side won 3-0.

Now Blazevic won't go anywhere without the distinctive headgear.

France Daily France Soir revealed that police sergeant Jean-Luc Provot had Insisted on giving Blazevic the cap as a sign of friendship.

"It's a present to symbolise the work of the police at the World Cup." explained the 43-year-old Provot, who wanted to make a special gesture following last month's attack by German fans on Lens gendarme Daniel Nivel.

"I'm thinking of him — it could have happened to any of us.' said Provot. adding: "Football should bring people together."

MISS FRANCE — AND

SHE CAN WRITE TOO

Sophie Thalmann is not just a pretty face. Miss France 1998 can write as well. She has sent a letter to the French team wishing them luck for their semifinal showdown with Croatia tomorrow.

"Also give each of the players a kiss from me." she told coach Aime Jacquet. "Ludcy paleyrs."

GRASS SEEMS

GREENER IN

ENGLAND

Dutch striker Patrick Kluiv-ert is thinking hard about quitting AC Milan and joining Dennis Bergkamp at Arsenal in the English Premiership.

"I know I must try to leave Italy now. it just hasn't worked out," said Kluivert.

"Like me Dennis struggled in Italy, but since going to England he has won the double and been voted player-of-the-year.

"Playing in England seems to have improved his game and I am convinced I could be successful there as well," he said.

Kluivert was to be watched by Arsenal's chief scout Steve Rowlley in today's semifinal against Brazil.

FANS GOING UP IN SMOKE

The World Cup is allowing Egypt's only tobacco manufacturer to make a killing. Since the tournament began the company is delivering 200 million cigarettes a day on the market — 55 million more than norma) — to help calm frayed nerves of football crazy Egyptians.

Every match is being televised live.

There has been a dramatic increase in cigarette consumption since the World Cup started." said company president Mohamad Sadek Ragab. "We expect things to go back to normal after the final."

IT'S A PAIN IN THE BACK

Back pain is the most cited complaint among footballers, according to Jiri Dvorak of FIFA's medical committee.

"Players I lave strong leg muscles and stomach muscles but they do no t do enough training on their b; ick muscles." said Dvorak.

He added that ankle and knee injurie s are the most common.

The comn titt.ee uses video and slow m( >tion analysis to view every sii igle injury in the World Cup t d determine how best to avoid Injuries.

MICHEL S GETTING

BE TTER

Former Di ;tch coach Rinus Michels is st eadily recovering from the hes .rt attack he suffered on Sun day, FIFA said today.

The 70-y t ar-old Michels, who coach< :d the brilliant Dutch team c f 1974. remains in a clinic unde t observation.

"He has n jade a substantial improvemen' ;. His condition is stable and tl rere is no cause for concern." sa (d FIFA spokesman Keith Coopt sr. Michels had a heart by-p jss operation 15 years ago.