GOLD STANDARD:You don't want to mess with Estonians – they've won Olympic medals in wrestling, weightlifting, boxing and judo. They're handy at cross-country-skiing too, with Kristina Smigun-Vahi, a five-time Estonian Sportswoman of the Year, winning two golds at the 2006 Turin Games. Erki Nool is their most celebrated Summer Olympian since they regained independence in 1991, winning the decathlon gold at the Sydney Games.

SOME FOWL LYRICS

Dustin the Turkey will, you'd imagine, have divided loyalties for this play-off – Estonia, after all, was the only country in Europe that liked his seminal Irlande Douze Pointein 2008, giving him seven points in the Eurovision semi-finals. That was almost a third of his total. In fairness, Ireland has been more than kind to Estonia over the years too, only their neighbours Finland and Sweden have given them more points. A musical bond, then.

OMG, IT’S JEDWARD

We’re waiting to see if the Irish squad receives as warm a welcome in Tallin as Jedward did last week. The police had to step in to call off their appearance in a shopping centre after 3,000 delirious young Estonians turned up looking for a piece of the twins. “They managed to run out of the centre but caused traffic disruptions as adoring fanatics followed,” reported RTÉ.

OMG. Be warned Glenn Whelan and Keith Andrews.

A PAWN FOR THE KGB

PAUL Keres was to chess what Lionel Messi is to football: rather good.

His face even appeared on Estonian bank notes, so revered was he in his country. He never became world champion, though, the theory being the KGB forced him to throw games to ensure the champion came from the Soviet Union.

“I was unlucky, like my country,” he said.

And now they meet Giovanni “Lucky General” Trapattoni’s team in the play-offs. Checkmate? We’ll see.

KNOW THE LINGO . . .

Ma sooviksin paluks veel uks olu, palun(I'd like another beer, please)

Kuidas läheb(How's it going?)

Kas sul on nädalavahetuseks plaane?(Do you have any plans for the weekend?)

Mis on su telefoninumber?(What's your phone number?)

Nagemist(Bye)

Ma sooviksin heeringas hapukoorekastmes, pannkoogid moosiga, verivorst hapukapsaga, kuuslauguleivad ja friikartulid, palun(I'd like herrings in sourcream sauce, pancakes with jam, blood sausage with sauerkraut, garlic bread and chips, please)

Kus asub tualettruum?(Where is the toilet?)

Ma ei tunne ennast hästi(I'm not feeling well)

Viimane kutse reisija O'Reilly Dublin, palun suunduge koheselt väravasse number 32.(Last call for passenger O'Reilly travelling to Dublin, please proceed immediately to Gate 32)