The party that wasn't

Brann's soccer match against Ålesund this Saturday was a nail biter. All Brann needed to do was tie to bring home their first series title in 44 years. Tens of thousands of Bergenese were watching the match on a huge screen in the middle of town waiting to erupt. In historically typical form, though, Brann trailed from almost the very beginning and was down 2-0 early on. They closed to 2-1 and what would have been the equalizer -- and series winner -- clanged off the left goalpost just as time expired.
The streets were deserted at 11 am Sunday morning as we went for a walk and to feed the duckies at the pond across the street. The entire city was abed, sleeping off the disappointment and the drinking of the night before.

Today the second-place team plays one of the league's other top teams, and if they don't win, Brann wins the title, but it would be a real anticlimax after all the anticipation leading up to Saturday night. I'm sure the team would rather win it on the field than read in the Tuesday paper that they had won on account of somebody else's tie on the other side of the country. I know I would.