The Excitement Builds

England were playing their opening game to the FIFA World Cup after a huge build up to a competition that captures the imagination of most sport fans. The excitement builds in the weeks preceding the start with all the discussion on the main topics; who's in form, who's fit etc. The squad of players were chosen with a few objections from the public, but mostly acceptance of the selections. It's an unusually subdued expectation from the fans coming in to this tournament. Probably based on our less than impressive showings in the last few competitions.

Getting Nervous

The day of the match I was quietly confident but after those recent World Cup and European Championship results it was hard to predict. I have lost a lot of my confidence in the team over the years and that has placed doubts in my mind about their ability to win. It's not that they aren't talented! I think that, like me, they have become used to our failure and disappointment on the big stage. My family are all football crazy and we got together on the evening to have a meal and share in the build up to the match. As we were devouring the food that Jaime, my daughter and sister in law Becki had prepared, we discussed our predictions for the game. Everyone predicted a win for our team but the score lines were different from 2-1 up to 4-0. My prediction was a nervous 2-1. At this point those nerves were starting to kick in.

Stressful

When the food was finished and cleared and the national anthem played (badly sung along to by me), we found our places for the kick off. It's hard to describe the feeling of a fan if you've not really followed a sporting team. In most cases it is quite stressful and often not an enjoyable experience but you are a kind of captive audience.

Feeling the Pressure

The game started brightly for my team and we were starting to get excited. The general talk goes from things like "don't let us down" to "we can do this." I kick every pass and head every cross in my mind and I, as someone who has played the game all my life, wishes they were out there doing it. One thing that a lot of people overlook is the pressure that all of these players go through. Yes, they are paid to do this, but that doesn't stop the weight of expectation from creating mistakes and errors in their play. If I'm feeling the pressure then they must be feeling it too.

Goal!

We score and it's the culmination of some persistent attacking that brings the reward. We are on our feet screaming at the TV and bouncing up and down like lunatics, hugging each other. We are all starting to believe that not only can they win the game but maybe the tournament win is not so far fetched after all. These are the kind of topsey turvey irrational thoughts that go through your mind during a game with your team involved. No hopers to world beaters.

Disaster!

A mistake by a defender and they have a penalty. Your heart sinks like a stone in water. Any problems that you may have in your life have suddenly paled into insignificance compared to this kick from 12 yards. Can our keeper be a hero and save the day? We are so on top and this travesty is against the run of play.

Boom! 1-1.

My head dropped. That great start that we had has been wiped out and we have to try and do it again. Doubts are creeping in again. The confidence built up was always superficial anyway because deep down we don't really believe anymore. It's been so long since any real success that belief is at an all time low. Nevertheless, the team go again and try to score. We hit the post and it goes agonisingly out for a goal kick. We are missing too many opportunities and my gut feeling is that we will pay the price for these missed chances. The players have recovered well and as the halftime whistle blows we are back in the ascendency.

How Are We Not Winning?

The talk at half time is that it's unbelievable how we are not comfortably winning and that it would be just like our team to capitulate and lose this game. I feel particularly disappointed and worried, even if my pre game prediction is still looking good, even if don't really believe it.

The Second Half

started relatively steady compared to the first half. The teams were adjusting and testing each other out. As the seconds ticked away the anxiety starts to pick up. Will we score? Will we get caught on the break? The opposition have stopped attacking at this point and are just trying to put two rows of men in-between us and their goal, 'park the bus' style. We make two substitutions with two young exciting players coming on. Please make a difference! Hope turns to anxiety, turns to panic. We are willing our guys forward. Any goal will do. Header, volley, own goal off of someone's butt! I don't care. Please for once, win our opening game.

Running Out Of Time

The board goes up for injury time. Four minutes left. Running out of time to fashion out a chance. The defenders are pushing forward to increase the pressure. We get another corner and this could be the last chance. The ball comes in from the corner kick into a melee of players wrestling each other for space. Our defender out muscles the opponent and gets a decent head on the ball. It's going slightly wide of the goal but towards our striker who in slow motion is staring wide eyed at his destiny. He gets his head to it and directs it goalwards. The ball is in the air for an eternity as it spins towards the goal. The goal keeper reacts but not quick enough and the ball creeps past the post and hits the back of the net.

GOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAALLLLLLLLLL!

The explosion of emotion is incredible. Ninety minutes of stress and anxiety all come out at the same time in the guise of absolute euphoria. Food and drink are flying around, the kids are screaming, hugging strangers, tears and allsorts! People going crazy up and down the country and watching in Russia. The final whistle blows and we win. What a rollercoaster ride. We are all left exhausted and emotionally drained but happy and hopeful for a good result in the competition. The life of a football fan is tough. Sometimes you're up, sometimes you're not, but you always follow your team with pride and passion.

We go through it all again in a few days time but I need to recover from this one first.

I hope you all enjoy the World Cup and don't get as stressed as I do.

Thanks for reading.

Gaz