Is Palmerston North actually a boring city? That's what many Kiwis are wondering, and some say is true, after Spain's Football World Cup team left the city early and relocated to Wellington because they were reportedly bored.
An earlier ESPN report said the team moved their base to Wellington before their final group match because "the lack of things to do in the area" had taken its toll. Spain has since refuted those claims, confirming while they have indeed relocated, it wasn't over boredom. Instead, they claim they wanted to be closer to the stadium in case they end up at the top of Group C, which would mean they would play in the capital.
The Palmerston North City Council has defended the city, saying "we're not boring" and hoping the team would revisit them.
"We know we're not boring, we could go on and on for hours about all the cool things you can do here... If you're willing to give us a second chance, we could show you,"
But that hasn't stopped others online from having a perhaps less than favourable view of the Manawatū-Whanganui city.
One person on Twitter wrote: "My wife and I once decided to go for a holiday by blue-tacking a map of NZ and throwing a dart at it. The dart skipped off the side and fell in the trash. I looked at her and said 'Palmerston North it is'."
Another Twitter user said "everyone" will be sympathising with the Spanish team over their decision to leave Palmerston North.
"My favourite thing about the Spanish football team leaving Palmerston North because they found it boring is that everyone sympathises with them. No one can name any interesting things to do in Palmy on a weeknight so it's like 'OK, fair enough, I would do the same'," they wrote.
A third person compared Palmerston North to "owning a crappy car".
"You're kinda too lazy to deal with any minor problems. I'll try and sort out the major ones but it's your crappy car and you kinda like it and hate it at the same time," they said.
Others took the chance to share their memories of Palmerston North, including National Party MP Chris Bishop.
"Can I just say for the record I have had some extremely big nights out in Palmy. Spanish women's team don't know what they're missing," he said.
While another user recalled their "only memory" of Palmerston North after going to a gig in 2004.
"This girl told me I looked 'sophisticated' because I was wearing glasses. When I was leaving later I saw her kicking another girl in the head."
The reporter whose story sparked reports Spain found Palmerston North boring took to social media earlier on Sunday. ESPN's Sam Marsden fears he "may have caused an international incident" with his article.
"I published a line on ESPN on Friday about Spain's move from their training base in Palmerston North to Wellington.
"The information was based on reports from reliable sources. However, it does not reflect Spain's official reason for moving which is to do with logistics ahead of possible KO [knockout] games."
So far, Spain is top of Group C of this World Cup, with comfortable victories over both Costa Rica and Zambia.