While the German national team may not be unusually strong, it will have the roar of the home crowd behind it during this summer's World Cup, and that's enough to convince one British man that he would be better off protecting himself from the psychological psychological he may suffer if England make an early exit from the World Cup.

"The pressure of this World Cup is not just on the players and the managers," Paul Hucker said of the 1 million-pound (1.45-million euro, $1.8-million) insurance policy. "I think a lot of supporters are under a lot of pressure and suffer because of England's performance."

Observers may say it looks increasingly likely that Hucker will be able to cash in his insurance as star striker Wayne Rooney looks set to miss the tournament following a repeat break of his right foot during a game last weekend.

"I find when it goes to penalty shoot-outs it gets very difficult and I wanted to insure myself against psychological trauma," Hucker said.

In the event of England taking an early plane back from Germany, the insurance company will consult five sports commentators to judge whether the team's elimination was premature.

To get the seven-figure insurance money, Hucker will then have to provide medical evidence showing he has suffered severe mental trauma as a result.

But he said he was not relishing the prospect of having to cope with the blues after watching England play.

"I feel very patriotic and very optimistic," said the man who would rather be on the safe side. "To have psychological trauma and depression is something I don't want."