Happy days are here again, tra, la, la, la ...
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A great news weekend for the true believers. Australia and New Zealand awarded the women's World Cup in 2023, and Liverpool winning the English league title for the first time in 30 years.
Both great reasons for celebration, one likely to be a tad more lengthy and raucous than the other.
Liverpool made the inevitable official, without kicking a ball, after London rivals Chelsea inflicted the fatal final blow to Manchester City's title defence with a 2-1 win at the "Bridge".
It's been a wait that must have seemed eternal to the hard-core fans, who were so used to almost perennial success during the late 1970s and '80s.
Despite the unprecedented circumstances of the 2019-20 season, it's been a triumph unrivalled in terms of emphatic margin, and sustained consistency.
Manager Juergen Klopp will retain god-like status forever on Merseyside, and the depth of passion, feeling, and connection to those who had passed before him, and his team, together with his attention to detail, and realistic philosophies, explain why he is so successful.
He also has a pretty decent team.
Speaking of which, hearty congratulations to the team, or collaboration, behind the Australia/NZ bid to host the women's World Cup in 2023. The success of that plan and presentation will open many doors to corporate partnership, improved facilities and infrastructure, provide a great spectacle for the sporting public, and evoke enormous pride in two great nations.
It also provides a select group of young athletes a once-in-a-lifetime chance to showcase their talents on home soil, but on a world stage. Memories of the Sydney Olympics, anyone?
With hosting rights come added expectation and pressure, moreso for an Australian team that has flirted with major tournament success in recent times. Don't worry about the staging and logistics and so on, that will be well handled by the professionals, and I'm sure circumstances permitting our young people will party like it's 2018 once again.
The real test will be where the Matildas are at, and how they perform in 2023, and there are some big decisions to be made, and made soon. It is easy to think of a winning goal, and a Sam Kerr backflip at the Olympic Stadium in Sydney, but it won't be happening without a considerable regeneration of the squad in the next three years.
That will seem harsh comment on a team that has thrilled and delighted fans, and represented our nation with such pride, honour and dignity, but it is a harsh reality. I wrote just before the last World Cup that you could sense the Matildas team had peaked, and was just starting the journey on the downward slope.
Four years further on, home advantage and support won't overcome that.
The new coach, and won't that be a critical appointment, needs time to assess which of the current team can carry on effectively in three years' time, and provide the nucleus of his/her starting 11, and the experience so vital at this level.
On the flip side of that, what a great opportunity for the elite young ladies aged say 16 through to 23 to work hard for a place in the team, and experience a once-in-a-generation event.
You'd have to surmise that identification of those prospects would be a priority for a new coach, affording maximum time for development and refining. In turn faith from the hierarchy is required during an experimental phase in regard to results, if you want a coach to be brave and adventurous.
The award of hosting rights is a fantastic filip for the code, and a competitive Matildas side would make it ultra-special. Several European nations, late to the rise of the women's game,have improved exponentially in the past few years, thanks to increased investment.
Those in charge of the Matildas cannot allow us to fall behind.