The World Cup is a competition which encourages men and women (1) ___________ to talk about football. All over the world, fans root for their team and their country, and its hard not to get (2) ____________ up in the enthusiasm. Even people who are not normally into football, or never watch it, express interest, especially if their national team is (3) _____________ part.
On the other hand, however, it is usually the male members of the population who avidly follow the fate of their favourite team from week to (4) _____________ throughout the year, year in year out.
Players and supporters of opposing teams are regarded as the enemy; colours and emblems, like uniforms, display (5) _______________ their loyalties lie. Feelings of comradeship are strong (6) ______________ supporters of the same side, and the game (7) _____________ hinges on tactics and strategy. Moreover, violence and acts of destruction often surface in the form of hooliganism. The similarities (8) ______________ football and war are striking. Why do football fans become so fanatical in (9) ____________ support of teams? Is (10) ____________, perhaps, among some members of the population, a deep-rooted craving for battle even in times of peace?