For the duration of the football tournament, or for as long as Brazil survives, the Lebanese flag has been replaced by the green, yellow and blue.

Shops in Beirut ran out of Brazilian shirts and flags last week, a day before they played their first match against Croatia.

Shop owner Issam Yamout reported a run on replica shirts for World Footballer of the Year Ronaldinho and midfield dynamo Kaka despite an increase in prices in the run-up to the game. Brazil was a major destination for Lebanese immigrants in the early 20th century and now counts more than seven million citizens of Lebanese descent - twice the population of Lebanon itself.

Despite all the hype, Brazil only beat Croatia 1-0. In their second match against Australia on Sunday, Brazil won with a slightly more convincing margin of 2-0. Despite the underwhelming victories thus far, Lebanon's Brazil fans still anticipate nothing less than a sixth World Cup title for their beloved nation.

Blogger Jamal compared the lack of celebration in Brazil following their first victory to the literally 10 hour span of crazed fans taking to the streets in celebration in Beirut. There is no questioning the passion of the Brazil faithful in Lebanon.

A friend of mine asked bluntly, "inta Brazeeli aw hmar?" Which translates to: "are you Brazilian or a donkey?"

Forget just being casual fans ... football is a nationality in Lebanon!

World Cup pictures in Lebanon

Flags for sale!

hmmm... guess who just won?

Fans watching the game in downtown Beirut

This cafe being politically correct, appealing to all fans

Germany supporters are easy to come across too

Not quite as many Saudi supporters, but to each his, or her, own

Photo credit: AP, Reuters
Source: DPA, Ya Libnan