South Africa 2010 Football Soccer World Cup

A little more than 12 hours...
South Africa plays against my country.

Will we win--against all odds?
Wil we tie--with some luck?
Will we be beaten--which is the most likely?

Thousands of Mexicans (and other nationalities) are awaiting the first kick-off.

Between 9:30 and 11:30 am, streets, banks, super markets, stores, buses, taxis, and so on, will be empty.

Mexicans will be gathering at restaurants, and coffee shops. Many will watch the game at the office, the workplace, the school, and many will make up some excuse to stay at home.

Doctors will report strange symptoms in healthy people. The economy will stop, factories will not produce anything, parcels won't be delivered, whole office buildings will close.

There will be people depressed (or ecstatic). Some will get drunk (whatever the result),

What is the sociological reason of all this? Is it normal that a whole country should stop all its activity to watch a game? Is there something sacred about it? Are the players modern time heroes upon whom the hope of a whole country rests? What will happen if we lose? Or if we win?