CLANCY OVERELL | Editor | CONTACT
Local Matildas fan Sammy Hermann (27) is today mixing up the wine, brandy, orange juice, diced orange, diced apple, diced lemon and cinnamon stick.
Because she is now Spanish.
The Betoota Heights soccer diehard is one of millions of Australians who now identifies as belonging to the Iberian peninsula – ahead of the last showdown of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup
In what marks the first time that either sides have made a final, Spain and England will come head-to-head on Sunday to decide who will be taking home the world cup trophy from Australia this year.
Spain booked their place in the final with a dramatic 2-1 victory over Sweden in the 89th minute.
For England, it was their high-octane 3-1 win over our beloved Matildas that saw them qualify for the final at the same exact stadium.
The near immediate Spanish-isation of Australian soccers fans was evident from the moment the final whistle blew on Wednesday night, as online retailers instantly sold out of any jerseys with Spanish colours or flags.
For Sammy, it was pretty subconscious.
“I’ve always supported them” she says.
“I’ve been watching all their matches. So I’ll be cheering them on against the English”
“That Salma Paralluelo put Spain 1-0 up in the 81st minute, only for Rebecka Blomqvist to equalise in the 88th. Our girls are ripping”
“Olga Carmona was obviously the clutch in the dying moments. She’s only 19. And was born roughly in the center of both Aragon and the Ebro basin”
“It’s a beautiful country of ours. The Jewell of Southern Europe”
She pours up a few glasses sangria and begins offering them around.
“Fuck the English” she says.
