SportsPsychologist.com Blog by Dr Victor Thompson

I was asked this question on BBC Radio Merseyside today, following England’s exit from Euro 2012 football tournament after another penalty shoot-out. When life is often routine and mundane, sport can bring colour to our lives. The highs and lows, the emotional rollercoaster, the stress and excitement of following a team can make our day, week and year more interesting. Plus, when we watch sport with friends, family and fellow fans, there is a sense of being part of a group , a sense of belonging. We celebrate and commiserate together. It binds us together with other like-minded people. Like the excitement a gambler feels when he is placing his bet, we fans would find it difficult to do without the thrills and spills of following our teams.