First came the shock of learning that Australia had been unceremoniously dumped into a 'group of slow death' at the 2014 FIFA World Cup.
Then came the realisation that the Socceroos were handed the rare privilege of facing Chile, Spain and Netherlands on the world's biggest sporting stage.
Then a sense of exhilaration hit us that Ange Postecoglou's unbackables will have no pressure on them in Brazil because they are expected to be the group's whipping boys and, who knows, they might even spring a surprise.
Two days after Italy hero Fabio Cannavaro pulled out the ball containing Australia's name, it is now time for the whole football family to settle down and see things in their right perspective, free of the raw emotions that the drawn-out draw in Brazil generated.
Let's face it. This is the worst group the Socceroos have ever had in the World Cup, even though the Australians who played with dignity in West Germany in 1974 were essentially amateurs.
Spain and Netherlands contested the last World Cup final in 2010 and are seen as two of the true giants of the world game, with compelling, influential football being their hallmark.
Chile qualified in third spot from South America ahead of Ecuador and Uruguay and has its finest side in years.
Postecoglou was quite right in saying that there will be some great football played in Group B and that it was Australia's job to play its part.
How big a part the Socceroos play in their matches in Cuiaba, Porto Alegre and Curitiba will depend largely on the way they prepare for the tournament and the help they get from authorities, clubs, fans and media.
The Socceroos players have a golden opportunity to inscribe their names in football folklore by turning the game on its head in the spiritual home of the game.
But there is also a chance that the team be mercilessly shown up by three ambitious and far more skilful sides.
Which is why it is important that we all trust and get behind the national team in its hour of need.
The game's stakeholders must acknowledge that this is not the finest team Australia has ever had but it's not all doom and gloom because, thankfully, it's got a good coach and its fighting spirit will always there in abundance.
Football can be a funny game and who knows what might happen if things fall Australia's way?
Just emerging from the group would be Australian football's finest hour.
Postecoglou told his players before the All Stars match against Manchester United in the off-season that they should go out there and enjoy the experience and show the English champion that they can play football.
The Socceroos would do well to adopt this cavalier attitude when they face Arturo Vidal's La Roja, Arjen Robben's Oranje and Andres Iniesta's La Furia Roja.
There is certainly a lot to lament about the current side but by the same token there also is plenty to admire.
The football family that sometimes has an inflated idea of Australia's position in the game's hierarchy should offer the team its complete support by providing a pressure-free environment and one that will boost the team's chances of preparing well and cutting a good figure in Brazil.
The status the Socceroos have acquired is such that the team is under constant scrutiny from every Tom, Dick and Harry. Which is great.
Opinions on any aspect of the team will vary but there is no point in raising unnecessary or bitter controversies that will only poison rather than enhance the team's environment.
I mean, in the context of the coming challenge in South America, it does not really matter too much if player X plays fullback or in midfield or if player Y should play at all.
And it would not make too much difference if we have three, four of five in the middle.
What's far more important is for Postecoglou and his players to work in a serene environment, knowing that the nation is fully behind them.
To pinch a well worn line from politics, we should focus on the things that unite us rather than on those that divide us.
The Australians will most probably fail to survive the group phase but it is important that they give it their best shot and not let the country down.
As long as they have a go and be wise enough to learn from the experience, nobody will complain.
The World Cup in Brazil could provide the perfect launching pad for a serious attempt to win the 2015 AFC Asian Cup on home soil six months later.
It's going to be one hell of a ride in the next 13 months or so.
So let's enjoy it and see what the football gods throw at us.