Enter the gladiators

[fpb]

I have to say, one of my favourite moments in every international football competition is the entrance of the athletes and the playing of the anthems. I always loved it, even without having to reflect about it: whatever else happens in the game, there is something noble and beautiful about the picture of twenty-two young men preparing, under the eyes of millions, to give all they have of strength, speed, skill and quick-thinking for the honour of their countries. Without the opening ceremonial, the real meaning of international competition could not be felt, and it may even be that the games would be worse or more undisciplined. There is no football fan who is not very conscious of all the dark side of the professional game; but even once you have taken it all into consideration, it is still good that people should spend their lives perfecting a skill to the best of their potential and then using it, not only for profit, but for their honour, the honour of their country, and the honour of the game.