The misery of international weekend

International weekend means a break from top level club competition across the footballing world. It should be the pinnacle of all football and as a fan I should be thrilled at the prospect of watching such great football. Unfortunately I feel quite the opposite. Does anyone else find these international breaks to be a pain in the backside?

Online

On the whole I love watching England play, although on this occasion the only place their game in Ukraine can be seen is at the ground or online. No television coverage of an England World Cup qualifying game is a total disgrace but that’s another matter.

As I say, I do enjoy watching England and other international teams but it just isn’t the same as the cut and thrust of club football. It isn’t played at the same intensity and it doesn’t seem to have the same passion. In a summer tournament, when there is no club football, I absolutely love international football and can’t wait for South Africa 2010. (Especially after England’s abject failure to even take part at Euro 2008).

Enjoyable

At the end of a long season there is nothing better than to get together with friends in a house or at the pub, have a few drinks and join in with the nation’s obsession of believing that our country can win the big one. It happens all over the world and it is really enjoyable. At least it is until we get beaten in a penalty shoot-out.

Having said all that, in the middle of the season I get really frustrated by the lack of top club action. It is not only the top clubs that don’t play either. Even my beloved Watford don’t get to play as the Championship in England is cancelled as well as the Premiership. Luckily, none of my Wilton Town players have been called up for international duty so our game against Marlborough Town reserves in the Wiltshire League Division Two will go ahead!

Results

After we have finished our game we always go to a bar and watch the football results come in. Not this week we won’t. After going to a bar I go home and look forward to match of the day on television. Not this week I won’t. On Sunday, after a nice family day and watching my youngest son play football, I look forward to the live Premier League game on the television. Not this week I won’t.

Yes, it is true, I am totally obsessed with football and I know I really should get a life, but I love my footballing weekends more than anything (better make sure the wife and kids don’t read this!). I am distraught when I miss out and it is these international matches that are the cause of my misery.

Friendlies

I wrote the other day of the pointlessness of a game like the one between Japan and Scotland. I understand that we need to play qualifiers but I fail to understand the need for friendlies.

Am I alone in this or do the rest of you feel miserable about international weekends?