Tuesday, June 19, 2012
I haven't had as much time to blog during the last week or two because my work routine's changing all the time and Euro2012 is messing with my sleeping patterns. But anything goes for some high-end football. And what a great topic for post #200!
I've been let in on a little secret by a friend of mine in the States that has changed the way I watch sport forever.
ATDHE.
The guys at this directory website offer online live sports streaming for international sports matches through heaps of links. All for free, and only some with really annoying ads (like, popping up exactly when a goal's scored - twice - annoying).
It all started with my frustration at the crap highlights at 12.30am that Nine were showing of the French Open. They didn't even show Sam Stosur when she got to the semi-final. Booo. And unfortunately, although SBS are showing their hour-long highlights at a better time, their efforts at showing full replays come two whole nights after they've played which is really rather pointless if you've watched the highlights the night before.
So through this wonderful portal I saw all of Greece's group games - I was shocked to see we now have our own Cristiano Ronaldo in half-Uruguyan Jose Holebas. He's alright on the pitch though, and not irritating me like the prince does.
Actually, I'm also a bit surprised to see the amount of sleeves in the world game now. And no, I don't mean long sleeves on guernseys. Gross random tattoos yes, but the sleeve trend is obviously fast become a worldwide thing. I've been annoyed with this in sport before, but I just hope it doesn't totally take over the world game because then I'd just be really shitty. One must remember that it isn't a look for everyone.
A real highlight was Germany against the Netherlands. It was a great game, plus it was a chance for me to actually see Mario Gomez in action. The guy's a gun! And has totally great hair, I must say. I am a fan. There were a few good lookers in both sides, so that's always a bonus from a female perspective. Looking forward to the finals!
But there's so much I can see now. I saw the Socceroos draw with Japan - I can see our boys qualify on my own terms again! There's Wimbledon, although I think 7Two's going to be okay because the shift from Nine is promising, and the Tour de France if SBS for some reason fails with their broadcast. The possibilities are endless!
Monday, May 14, 2012
A year ago today, I was in Dusseldorf, Germany, for the final of the Eurovision Song Contest.
How frickin' excited was I to be there? I was FRICKIN' EXCITED.
But I had reason to be. Getting a ticket to the final was confirmation that going to Europe was what I was meant to do.
Before going, I'd had some doubts about whether I was running away from issues back home, namely finding a job since finishing my studies.
For me it was a weeknight about 10pm when tickets went on sale. My first Internet ticket-buying rush and I was nervous (I'm old-skool and line up for tickets when big names come to town). An hour later, I'm still hitting the same button thinking something's up. Checking on Twitter, I discovered the site had crashed. Thank God. Made a few friends there while we waited actually.
I remember thinking to myself 'If I get this ticket I'm meant to go overseas, no backing out', and when I got through it was exhilarating. Then it locked me out.
It was another half hour or so before I re-entered, went through it in German before realising I could switch to English. But I managed to pick a good ticket, mid-range, paid, all good.
It was packed.
I'd found a Greek flag in a mad rush, almost got lost as I tried a shortcut to the station, but I got there. And met Aussies, including fellow Greek Nick from Adelaide. We had no mutual friends, which in Adelaide Greek circles could be seen as peculiar.
The show was AMAZING. I had an awesome seat that allowed me to dance away in the aisles. Absolute faves were England's Blue with I Can and Germany's Lena with her attempt at defending the title Taken By A Stranger - both songs rank highly on my favourites list. Winners for Azerbaijan Ell and Nikki with Running Scared were good though too, I wasn't entirely disappointed with that result.
I was lucky because 2011 was a good year. The hosts were well--presented, the songs were actually of a fairly high calibre overall, and the Germans know how to throw a party. Hottest guy award went to Sweden's Eric Saade, worst song was from Italy's Raphael Gualazzi (how it came third we there still don't know, had to be the intrigue factor because Italy were back and in the Big Five), and brightest stage design went to Serbia's Nina with her 60s get-up. Very impressed with the night, especially as the only one for some time not to be in the last week of May.
I would spend the next day in Cologne with my new Adelaide friend avoiding pelting rain through visiting a Lindt museum and hiding out in a cafe. A relaxing Sunday.
Dusseldorf came to life with Eurovision. Their pride to host it was everywhere; Eurovision was all around. Take a look at what I found myself a part of.
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| In the film museum |
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| Aussie! Greek! From Adelaide! |
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| I DID make friends on Twitter amidst confusion, including Mark |
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| Early rain in Cologne made it so gloomy... |
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| But getting The Candy Man Can from Willy Wonka in my head made it better |
*This is also the fifth post in the series My decade of Eurovision. That started here.
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Sunday, July 04, 2010
Dear Diary,
EXPLOOOOSIVE stuff last night, now THAT's what I'm talking about!!! The World Cup has continued to deliver in the finals series with near upsets, actual upsets and plenty of scandal and drama in between. Oh, and Paris Hilton being arrested and then let go over her friend's marijuana possession. Cover-up so Hilton didn't get more jail time - or (shock horror) a bad rep? TOO LATE, she dug her grave looooong ago.
Ok, the important stuff. Had to be out during the Germany vs Argentina game BUT utilised my Mobile TV package and ended up watching plenty of it on my phone. Yes, in a pub. They had no screens so I didn't have a choice. Unfortunately the sound option was cancelled out by the live music but with four of us crowding over a screen with about 80% clarity it still had a tense enough feel. One friend didn't want to know the score, so I obliged his wish... but when we start shouting OOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHH over Germany's third goal he's looking at us with a mix of envy and curiosity - I simply said 'Go... just go.' We didn't see him for a while.
Saw all the goals so feel proud I had a solid viewing of the game. And seeing Diego Maradona's face on the final whistle was priceless. Was debating staying up straight through until Paraguay vs Spain, but after a trip to Vili's for a Bacon and Cheese Sausage Roll left me with an upset stomach (but to be fair, it was triggered by the alcohol, the food was awesome as always) I needed a lie-down. An hour later, the last QF began.
So I discovered being on about 50 minutes sleep doesn't really work for me. Plus being in a warm, cosy room with my brother asleep kicking his legs around everywhere didn't help. The first half's a slight blur but what happened afterwards makes it irrelevant anyway except to say that it was a good contest in that both teams refused to concede. It was the same for most of the second half, except for the goal obviously. Which came more from luck anyway; any double crossbar hit will startle the defence. The goalie had no choice but to attempt a scramble back but had no chance. And this comes after yet another interesting series of events... that neither team could capitalise on penalties two minutes apart and that Paraguay should've had another crack at their's because the ref missed the Spanish encroachment in the box. Ended up sleeping in after going back to bed: with the 50 minutes before, hours of sleep: 5h50m.
Quite frankly, it was a scrape. After hearing so much about how Spain were meant to be the hot favourites, from what I've seen they haven't impressed. Even in this game against an impressive South American nation they just don't appear like a team deserving of the prize. As much as I hate to say it, I think Germany will take this out. They'll thump Spain (and while the Argentina pounding make the Socceroos look pretty good this'll look even better) and meet Uruguay in the final - haven't seen much of the Oranje crew but again, not overly impressed.
I'll miss it tonight. But the void's filled with the only game of Wimbledon I'll see in 2010 - the Men's Final. Eeeexcellent. I feel bad not having watched any tennis. But what's a girl to do?
Monday, June 28, 2010
Dear Diary,
What a night of football we saw. How incredibly unlucky for the Poms. What a match-up it turned out to be. Germany vs England ended up being the game of the tournament so far - but not for all the right reasons. The refereeing continues to bring a blight to the game and its constant mentioning warrants more pressing questions.
Hoping for an England win, the 2-0 lead to Germany wasn't looking good. But two minutes of brilliance and the Poms were suddenly back in the game. But for Lampard's strike to unbelievably be called out shocked even us neutrals. Heck, Andy Roddick was even having a go at FIFA left, right and centre via Twitter. A great strike from at least thirty yards out, and it ends up playing out as the opposite to the debatable goal from the '66 Final.
A real shame to find they couldn't swing the momentum their way for most of the second half. The decision obviously affected them and only in the last 15 minutes did they look like making a serious threat again. Rooney made almost no impact, and their defence had to work too hard just to keep up. The 'Golden Generation' have had their day.
Hours of sleep: 3.5. Woke up for the second half of Argentina vs Mexico before going to work. Tevez's goal was awesome.
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