Thoughts on the lack of a playoff game at the EURO 2012…

Third/fourth playoff matches are always depressing. No-one wants to be in them. No-one really wants to watch them.

That said, some of the most exciting games can happen when neither team is playing it safe, and going for the last possible glory.

Third playoff matches are depressing. Often the team that gets fourth performed well during the entire tournament and loses, to end the tournament on a depressing low that creates disgruntled players and angry fans. 

These games can often cause injury to key players for clubs.

My parents told me about how they went to the Rugby World Cup playoff match in Sydney in 2003.  The All Blacks had already been knocked out, and it was only a half-hearted game that they couldn't fully get into. While rugby is certainly not football, the third place game always has a slightly glum atmosphere about it, where no-one on either side seems to really care.

On the other side of the coin, I would love to see a playoff game for the EURO, simply because it would be entertaining. And honestly, if Germany and Portugal played in a 3rd place playoff, my money would be on Germany.

Early morning wake up...only football can justify this

Damn you European time differences.

I love football...but getting up at 5.30 in the morning to go and watch football is tough. Dedication. And worth it. But tough.

I got up this morning when it was still dark and went to watch the 2nd semifinal of the EURO with my friend Josh.

Before the game I would have predicted Germany to win (which I did...2-1) and the opposite happened, Germany lost 2-1.

Italy were very impressive. I think the Germans only really dominated about two times in the entire game, the first 10 minutes and the final 2 (in stoppage time).

Italy played very attractive attacking football. Completely different side to how they had played against England, which was good to see.

If they play like they did in the final, they will be very difficult to beat. I will be supporting Spain, even though they haven't been playing very attractive football this tournament. They have really missed David Villa up front.

So it will be a Group C re-match in the final! VAMOS ESPANA!

Also...another thing.
New Zealand cafes! Get your act together and get WiFi so I can tweet during the football!

Transfer rumours...the Olivier Giroud saga

Its the off season, and what do we do in the off season apart from speculate (read: obsess) over transfer rumors.

It is all but confirmed that Olivier Giroud will be joining Arsenal. Wenger appeared on Aljazeera sport as part of the Euro 2012 panel and said Arsenal have bought him. 

I usually don't like to believe transfer rumors until they are officially confirmed by the Arsenal website. However everything looks very promising.

Giroud will be an asset to Arsenal. He provides another attacking option which we desperately need, weather or not van Persie stays. I hope we sign him and he adapts quickly and well to the English game.

Arsenal Addiction

I have finally decided to start a proper blog about my Arsenal addiction.

I've been on Twitter and Tumblr for a while now, but I really felt like starting something a bit more serious where I can really go in depth about all things Arsenal.

Arsenal things happen to me every day, even in the off season. Today on the cryptic crossword in the newspaper one of the clues was "Welcomed warmly at White Hart Lane they are not" and it was obviously Arsenal. I dislike crosswords, they make me feel unintelligent. But I was happy to get that answer right.

Keep posted if you want to read about my random ramblings about Arsenal.

- Emma aka KiwiGoonerGirl