A very subjective look into AWFC

I expected this World Cup to be an exercise for me as it relates to managing my emotions. I knew that, aside from wanting the dutch to win, I would be very invested from an emotional point of view because of all the Arsenal players involved. My emotions are also put to the test in the sense that there are players that normally terrorize arsenal and I usually want them to lose but because they play with some of our players for their countries, I now want them to succeed? it’s so strange.

Take Chelsea’s Sam Kerr for example. She absolutely destroys Arsenal… I’ve seen in person. It hurts. She’s so good but I also want her to lose as often as possible which will benefit Arsenal directly. But when she plays for Australia, alongside our girls Foord and Catley, I want her to do well because it means our girls do well. But I’m so programmed to not want her to succeed that it’s just a mindf*ck (BTW Part of me was bitter and might still be bitter that Steph carried this damn team and then Kerr recovers and gets the captain’s armband… She doesn’t strike me as the leader as far as being vocal and from what I’ve heard in interviews, but that’s irrelevant when you play like Sam plays… that’s just me being super subjective).

Clearly I want all women to succeed. I don’t actually want any player, from any club ever, to suffer, or to go through the heartbreak of missing a penalty or anything like that. With the men’s sport I totally do though. This World Cup has so many of these situations when you want a country to win or lose and it will affect your club team loyalty directly.

England is a perfect example. I don’t want England to win without Beth or Leah. They should be there and there’s no way in hell they wouldn’t have contributed to this team and have had them play even better. There’s no question on my mind. I actually think the Euros were much tougher than this World Cup but that’s another conversation. The fact is that yeah Its lovely that England win overall. and I want them too, but it’s bittersweet. I’m very happy for our new girl Russo and Jordan Nobbs of course. I also love Alex Greenwood.. hate how good Millie Bright is for Chelsea, but have always thought she is outstanding. Do I feel Leah should be there? yes but she’s not. That’s life. These things happen and people have to deal with those feelings.

Now, take the Dutch for a sec. Did I want them to win the whole thing? Yes and there’s also the caveat that I don’t think it would’ve been the same (or possible) without Viv there. Like I need her to win. I need her to lift a trophy and it wouldn’t be the same without her. Would’ve been amazing had they won it yet I would’ve also been super bummed. It’s obvious that I would’ve LOVED to deal with those conflicting feelings because it would’ve meant we’d be world champions but that wasn’t to be.

With Spain I have zero emotional attachment or investment really. I don’t particularly mind if they win or lose. They have players I love like Hermoso, Aitana, Ona and Alexia but it’s not like I would be sad if they lose. There are no Arsenal players in that squad so it’s very easy to root for England in the final. Plus the whole situation with their coach and federation is very strange and I don’t even know how to unpack that.

All I keep thinking about is the collective wins this World Cup has brought. I know there’s a lot of resistance still… I know not a lot of people are watching in England, or as much as you’d expect, but it’s been magical and the Aussies have written their names in history and folklore FOREVER. More on this tomorrow…

❤

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