You have bought your ticket for the World Cup and the game begins. What should you do? Being a supporter is a tough job;

When your team enters the scene, just remember what their previous score has been. Spain won from Ukraine with four to zero and that might boost your entrance to the tribune, but take it easy; this is not the last game to support.

The ideal supporter should behave somehow anti-cyclical. This concept is used in politics to address the role of governments fiscal policy. Anti-cyclical means that taxes are reduced (and government expenditure is increased) when there is an economic downturn. By doing so, the government (in fact, we as tax-payers) support the economy when they need it. In the same (but opposite way) the fiscal policy is tightened making sure the economic motor doesnt get overheated.

And so, the supporter should act in the same way. Although there is no reason to be quite and silent when your team is winning, just let them know that you are still there. More important is to show them that you are behind them when they are loosing. Shout and yell when your team is struggling to get even. This is normally the hardest part. Not only for those individual players but also for the supporter. Do not forget that your role is to support. You are not a player who is feeling bad because you are loosing! Make sure that you get heard. The real players need you.

We may think that being a supporter is easy. Well it is not. And you can make the difference. Go on, be a tiger!

2006 Hans Bool