A triumph for fans of red phone-boxes, kilts, leeks and shamrocks

Tee-ing off in Ireland later this month, the fifth Seve Trophy will pit the cream of Europe's golfing talent against each other in a fight to the death... metaphorically speaking. So what's it all about?

1. Played in alternate years to the Ryder Cup, The Seve Trophy pits Great Britain and Ireland against the rest of Europe in a battle to decide which is better, a full English breakfast or a continental.

2. The trophy takes its name from Seve Ballesteros as one of the main advocates of the tournament and for his heroics for Europe in the Ryder Cups of the 80's and 90's.

3. A three day tournament, days one and two are pairs matches with a concluding set of singles matches on the third day. A fourth day with drinking games, belly flop competitions and a three-legged race is being considered for the 2009 event.

4. Unlike the Ryder Cup, the teams are made up of 10 men apiece rather than 12 and in order to attract the biggest names to what is a relatively new tournament, the competitors are paid for their involvement .

5. The leading four players from the World Rankings, the leading four from the European Order of Merit and two captain's picks are selected for each side. This criteria ensures that a mix of Europe's top stars are involved, even if they play the majority of their golf on the PGA Tour.

6. Since the first tournament, in 2000, GB&I have won three times to Europe's one. Stick that up your stripy jumpers you wrong side of the road driving, liberal attitude having, continentals.

7. The Heritage Golf and Spa Resort in the Republic of Ireland, which was jointly designed by Seve himself, will provide the venue for this year's clash.

8. This year Nick Faldo will take the reins from Monty who had captained GB&I in all the previous tournaments. For Europe, Seve, will re-take control from Jose Maria Olazabal who stood in for him last year. 

9. The upturn in results for Europe in the Ryder Cup since 2000 has partly been attributed to the advent of the Seve Trophy, as players get a chance to hone their team matchplay skills in a competitive environment. So everyone's a winner, except, more accurately, whoever loses.

10. The trophy will be contested between the 27th and the 30th of September, almost exactly a year before the 2008 Ryder Cup tees off in Kentucky and on exactly the same dates as it's American counterpart, The President's Cup.