It’s footy World Cup year and nationalistic sporting fervour is on the agenda, and it's no different in the world of poker.

As the Ronaldinhos, Beckhams, Henrys and Drogbas of the roundball game prepare for the off in Germany in June, the Poker Nations Cup is already underway in the UK on Channel 4.

Beginning Tuesday March 14 and running through till Friday April 7, the 888.com Poker Nations Cup features the best players from Europe and the USA battling it out on the baize.

Teams from Great Britain, Ireland, Germany, Denmark, Sweden and the USA are battling it out for the £100,000 first prize, with the grand final to be held in Cardiff, Wales.

The field is one of the strongest ever assembled. Leading the line up for the US team is Robert Williamson III whilst the team captain for the UK Team is WPT Champion Dave "Devilfish" Ulliott. Michael Keiner and WSOP winner Noel Furlong represent Germany and Ireland respectively whilst the strong Swedish team contains one of the world's finest internet players Erik Sagstrom and is captained by Ken Lennaard.

In a nice twist, each team of professional players will be joined by the best online player, via satellite qualification at 888.com.

Matt Robinson of 888.com commented:- "This tournament promises to be one of the most exciting poker tournaments of the year. The competition will be all the more fierce with both personal and national pride at stake. Soon we'll find-out which Nation really is the king of Poker"

A fair bit of thought has gone into the tournament structure, and it features some innovative touches:

Tournament Structure:

• 36 players, 30 pro's & 6 Internet qualifiers from 888.com

• Buy In $2,000

• 888.com are adding $100,000 to the prize pool

• 6 single table satellites - 1 representative from each country

• Winner of each table wins $12,000 for themselves

• Each player is awarded points depending on their finish

• Each point is worth $595 for the final table

• Each team captain selects one player to represent them in the final

• Each captain must make two substitutions during the final (one by level 3 and the second by level 6)

• Each captain is allowed one "Time Out" (during or at the end of a hand). The captain and the player meet up for 60 seconds in a designated "Time Out" area

• The winning team is awarded $100,000

So tune into Channel 4 at midnight on Tuesdays and Friday for all the action.