I generally convince my GF to put a bet on a game I want to watch, and her interest in it suddenly goes from zero to ten. I've tried to infuse her with my love of Everton, but to no avail. She has, however, proven insightful at times:
GF: Who's that?
Me: Deufoleu
GF: Yeah, well Filoop-dee-loo needs to pass it and stop being so greedy, I'm snappin' here.
After Liverpool beat City:
GF(on Gerrard): Why the f*** is he crying?
Me: It's a big win for them in the context of the league.
GF: Yeah, but they haven't won it yet so it was just a game, wasn't it?
*Starts doing exagerrated crying impression, rubbing her fake tears with rolled up fists.