FIFA erotica diaries

Watching the World Cup can boost sex drive, says a recent study. Active! does a reality check with Mumbai's best known sexologist. Plus:u00a0A leaf out of FIFA's sex gods' diaries

To have sex or not? That's hardly a dilemma you'd say. But at the ongoing FIFA World Cup, the sex question has divided the football playing nations.u00a0The English team has taken the lead, banning its players from having sex, and giving them permission to meet their wives and girlfriends (WAGs) only once after each game.

And to answer the question that's tickling you right now (How are they going to be sure, anyway?), CCTVs have been installed in players' hotel rooms. Argentinian coach Diego Maradona has adopted a more laidback approach, going on record to encourage his boys to enjoy a passionate romp before key matches. It's a stress reliever he says.

Active! decided to go dig up what last Sunday night's winners and losers were up to in their bedrooms in the days leading up to yesterday's match.

Sunday, 11.55 pm
The winners: Brazil
My dream is to win the World Cup and then to enjoy having sex. After all of the effort, I think I would have deserved it.

Robson de Souza aka Robinho, the sex guru
The two players who made Brazil's Sunday win possible were Robinho and Kaka. Robson de Souza aka Robinho was all of 15 when he was chosen by legendary footballer Pele as his heir apparent. He is notorious for missing training in the past because he'd been out with the Brazil squad all night at the Catwalk Club, venturing outside to ask attendants to bring him 40 condoms at one go.
At FIFA 2010, he even defied coach Dunga's directive to leave WAGs at home, and brought his son, wife and mother to South Africa, insisting that having his family near could help him succeed at the finals.

Sunday, 11.55 pm
The losers: Ivory Coast

Didier Drogba, the sex symbol
Didier Drogba is known as Ivory Coast's sex symbol, and recently made a scantily clad appearance on the cover of Vanity Fair, next to Cristiano Ronaldo. He is known to be a one-woman man and has three children with wife Alla. He is considered responsible for bringing peace to the Ivory Coast and has been named one of the world's 100 most influential people by Time magazine.


Ricardo Kaka, the faithful
Kaka's taste in sex veers towards the conventional. He has spoken openly about remaining a virgin until his wedding night, and being faithful to wife Caroline Celici. He says reading and enjoying a night out with his wife at a nightclub have kept his marriage strong. No extra-marital affairs or group sex for this guy.


Salomon Kalou, the show off
He was reportedly in the news for his lavish lifestyle. This teetotaler was said to have spent ufffd140,000 on his birthday bash, but reports were retracted a month later. His girlfriend, Najah, is a half-Puerto Rican, half-Somalian model who walks the ramp in New York.

Does sex, wine and ice-cream make Brazil a winner?

Ask the coach
Brazil coach Dunga (fondly called Dopey) allowed the five-time winning Brazilian team to indulge in sex, ice-cream and wine. "When they're on their own, they can do what they like. Not everyone likes sex, or wine, but everyone has to do whatever they like," he is reported to have said at a recent press conference. We wonder if that could have played a role in the team beating Ivory Coast 3-1.

While at FIFA, to have sex or not seems the question, the rest of us might have just got a green signal from a Singapore-based urologist who says men secrete more testosterone and adrenaline as the matches get more intense, and after downing a couple of rounds of beer.

Dr Prakash Kothari, founder and advisor, World Association for Sexual Health, agrees.u00a0 "Any activity that arouses interest and makes a person happy can lead to higher testosterone and adrenaline levels, causing a temporary surge in desire. Happiness is deeply co-related to sexual activity. On the other hand, any disturbing act can become a sexual dampener, like say when your favourite team loses."
We decided to check in with three soccer-loving female fans to see what they say:

It's left no time for a romp says the actress

Roshni Chopra, 29
My husband Siddharth Anand Kumar is addicted to football, and so am I. We are both rooting for Argentina because Maradona is our favourite. We like Italy too because we just vacationed there. When your favourite team wins, you are satisfied anyway so, why would you move to the bedroom? Besides, a woman should know how to turn on her man, irrespective of whether a sporting team he's rooting for wins or loses. In fact, football fever leaves no time for romps in my life, so I do the next best thing: join him and share the excitement of watching the match together.

He gives me no attention says the actress-model

Dipannita Sharma, 33
FIFA has overtaken my life, and football season is bad news for me. My husband Dilsher Singh Atwal is addicted to the sport. He roots for Germany and Argentina, and I haven't got an ounce of attention from him thanks to FIFA. The emotions you feel while watching a match on TV need not translate into real life. I have, in fact, heard of fights breaking out between couples since the men are too caught up in the game.

Iu00a0have noticed no change says the Psychology student
My boyfriend Sivney roots for Spain, but I haven't noticed any change in his behaviour since the World Cup began. Besides, it need not be a match that boosts adrenaline; it could be music or anything that excites a guy.

Love-making situations, and whether you should go for them

Sex before a match
PROS
Sex before a match can be beneficial since it boosts morale and leaves you feeling relaxed and ready to take on the world. There may be an initial feeling of tiredness just after sex but it's only temporary, and tides over, leaving you refreshed and ready to play with more zeal and enthusiasm.
CONS
Some people harbour the misconception that abstinence helps preserve stamina. They may be racked by guilt leading to low energy levels and this can affect concentration and overall performance during a match.

Sex before an important meeting
PROS
It helps you take better decisions and boosts concentration. Like a little alcohol can allay anxiety, sex too relieves anxiety.
It helps youu00a0unwind and assert yourself better by plucking out inhibitions.
CONS
If you are guilty about it or uncomfortable, it's not going to help.

Sex on your first date
PROS
It can help you know your partner and their sexual preferences better, bringing the two of you closer.
CONS
You may be low on confidence and it may lead to awkwardness. The use of foreplay, and using a condom are indispensable to the act. Slowly, as you experiment, your confidence levels will rise.

Make-up sex
PROS
A lot of issues can be resolved in bed. It can act as a form of catharsis for the damage done. It can help a couple come to a compromise and dissolve anger.
CONS
It is not a substitute to communicating and thrashing issues out. Don't resort to sex when you feel like you can't make headway with a problem.

Sex with another partner before your wedding
PROS
It all depends on what your own set of ethics are. You should do what makes you happy. In fact, the term 'extra-marital affair' is demeaning. I'm not going to earn brownie points for this one, but a harmonious life demands a good sexual partner, a great friend and a companion, and it's tough to find these in the same person.

The sex is uninhibited and there is no responsibility or baggage attached to it. In fact you can experiment with moves you'd want to try with your husband/wife. Since the 'marriageable' age is getting pushed forward over the years, it makes sense to experiment sexually rather than wait till you get married.
CONS
You need to have an open mind, and if you are going to be racked with guilt, forget it.
You are vulnerable to contracting STDs (sexually transmitted diseases). So, it's best to take adequate precaution to avoid that, which will also help
prevent an unwanted pregnancy.