WC2006: Swedish Bachelor Party

OLYMPIC STADIUM, BERLIN (7:53pm local time) -- One of the more memorable bits of Korea in 2002 was the orderly chaos spilling onto the streets after the Koreans beat Italy in the round of 16. Berlin after this victory was both like that night and not like that night at the same time. It was only a first round match, but the pressure on the team both throughout the run-up to the tournament and during the first 92 minutes of the match demanded release.

The character of the celebration was funny. In the plaza that had been set up with food tents and a stage - not unlike a Chicago street festival, and I think someone from Right Said Fred was headlining on this evening, being too sexy for long-term success - there were plenty of Germans of varying levels of intoxication, mixed with Brazilians still celebrating the night before, and a heck of a lot of Swedes getting into "game shape" for their upcoming match with Paraguay.

We headed up the street along the impromptu parade of cars, cheering along and high-fiving at random. Ultimately, we came across the bachelor party. The young Swede approaching marital bliss was wearing a blue and yellow bra and thong adorned with candies on a string, while his friends carried a sign offering his, um, "services." If you think that creates a disturbing image, keep in mind I'm the one who had to see it.