Eye-popping charts reveal how the Matildas have completely changed the way Aussies tackle an everyday task during their dream run at the World Cup
- Sydney Water has released data on its use during competitions
- Usage dropped dramatically during Matildas games
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The Matildas’ history-making campaign in the Women’s World Cup broke Australian viewing records – and according to Sydney Water, they also kept fans from getting up to go to the toilet.
Tony Gustavsson’s side kept the Aussies glued to their TV throughout the tournament, with the semi-final against England being the most watched TV program in Australian homes for over 20 years.
Sydney Water has released data on water consumption from the quarter-final victory over France and the loss to the Lionesses, showing usage dropped dramatically as the action took place.
The graphs titled ‘Tilly Effect’ show that water consumption increased at half time, full time and when there was a lull in the action when Aussies took the chance to relieve themselves.
“It shouldn’t have been this way for our Tillies last night, but as our water usage data shows, they kept us on the edge of our seats and glued to our screens,” Sydney Water wrote on its Facebook page.
Sydney Water data shows that water consumption dropped dramatically when the Matildas played in the World Cup
Aussies were also glued to their TVs during the semi-final against England, but used game breaks to go to the toilet and relieve themselves
“Sydneysiders didn’t want to miss a minute of the action – whether it’s going to the toilet or racing to make a cup of tea (we’re assuming it wasn’t an English breakfast).”
The game peaked at 6.9 million viewers during its broadcast, with a commercial audience share of 89.8 percent over the total number of people.
The spectacle of the penalty shootout won was a moment that will live on forever in Australian sporting history.
John Aloisi, who has carved his name into folklore with the goal that sent the Socceroos to the 2006 World Cup, was delighted to see match winner Cortnee Vine surpass him as Australia’s most talked about penalty taker.
“I’m glad I got demoted (to second place), I don’t care,” Aloisi said during commentary for The Seven Network.
“We are in a semi-final and this is what a World Cup does, it brings the whole country together.”
Australian of the year Dylan Alcott, 32, shouted the house down at a local pub with a beer in hand during the dramatic quarter-final clash with Les Bleues.
The former wheelchair tennis player cheered along with other spectators as they watched the game on TV.
My God, that was the closest I’ve ever been to getting up. Incredible effort. MCG is going off,” he wrote on Twitter with a video of his waiting party.
The Matildas became Australia’s biggest ratings hit in over two decades
The Aussie team broke records, scored goals and made history during the tournament
The team exited the World Cup with the country’s best ever result at the tournament
The MCG even showed some of the exciting play before the Carlton vs Melbourne Demons crashed to the ground.
Aussie Rules fans in Demons and Blues kit cheered at the Melbourne Cricket Ground as the Matildas kicked the winning goal.
The game was shown on the big screen at the MCG but was removed shortly after 7pm.
While footage at one of Sydney’s most expensive restaurants, ‘Firedoor’, showed diners at nearly every table watching the quarterfinals on their mobile devices.
Matildas’ victory caused diners from the tables in the restaurant to stand and cheer.
Another viral video shot from inside a plane showed almost every single monitor watching the penalty shootout.
Passengers burst into applause and praise as Vine scored the winning penalty kick.
“That moment for women’s sport,” wrote 7News journalist Jacqueline Felgate, who uploaded the clip.