The Euros were good news for England fans (until the final) but not so good news for coronavirus infections (they rose).
In Scotland too, the rise and fall in Covid cases reflected the country’s footballing fortunes.
So what does this tell us about football fan behavior and why is it typically males who persist in this type of group behavior?
For a month, between mid-June and mid-July, fans flocked to see the EURO – in pubs, bars, friends’ houses, stadiums and fan zones.
Being part of a group boosts self-esteem and confidence and allows people to share their feelings, says Dr. Sandy Wolfson, psychologist from Northumbria University.
“It also confirms the belief that they are superior – not just on the pitch but in life.
“For example, that they are more generous and honest and are part of an extraordinary group.”
And when it all goes wrong, they can also find solace in other fans’ disappointment, knowing they did their best as a supporter – even if it wasn’t reciprocated by their team.
There’s something “evolutionary in nature” about connecting through football, says Dr. Wolfson.
“It’s a survival mechanism to be part of a group – because outside you’re less protected and more likely to die out,” she adds.
So is it mainly a man thing?
The tribal element in soccer is more extreme than in other sports – and that could attract a lot of men.
During the Euros, men were more likely than women to test positive for Covid, a study has found, and around 2,000 cases in Scotland have been linked to the tournament.
Men are much more likely than women to take part in team sports and gather in large numbers to watch them – but that doesn’t mean women don’t do it too.
However, the way men express themselves is very different from women, says Dr. John Barry, Chair of Male Psychology at the British Psychological Society.
For men, socializing with friends is all about banter, he says, which includes “verbal scuffles.”
It’s a bonding ritual; They can live out their emotions by watching football together.
But more importantly, it gives her mental health a huge boost, says Dr. barry
“Men who can’t talk about things get them off their chests by watching football.
“It’s a great way to vent your feelings.”
Talking in the pub is also easier after a few drinks, he adds.
In contrast, women tend to open up unintentionally.
For men, whose interactions – like the rest of the population – have been severely restricted during the pandemic, the euro may have come at just the right time.
Although Wimbledon and a number of other high-profile sporting events have also taken place over the past week – while the Olympics are underway – they haven’t gotten people out on the streets like the football tournament.
And if increasing men’s well-being has been linked to a rise in Covid infections, then many psychologists believe it was worth it.
Although it’s easy to view football games as “frivolous,” says Dr. Barry that they “really matter” – especially when men aged 40 to 54 currently have the highest suicide rate in the UK since 2013 – despite the fact that there have been no reports of a surge in suicides during the pandemic.
Luckily, when it comes to dealing with their team’s failure, most fans seem pretty adept at moving on.
“There’s some residual pain – but they can’t get away from their racquet,” says Dr. Wolfson.
Fans of England, Scotland and Wales can rest assured that there is always a game of football to offer – agony or ecstasy.
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