MARMALUND!!

After an exhausting week working on an article about "green lifestyles" in Denmark, an exploring to an eco-village (basically a compound with a punch of people living on it in almost completely organic ways) it was time to CELEBRATE last night! Delish tacos and a box (yes, BOX) of wine later, we were settled in to watch the intensely popular Denmark-Norway handball semi-finals.

Now, when I think handball, I vaguely recall boys in high school itching for the bell to ring so they could run out and throw some stupid little ball against a giant green wall, or the side of a classroom if they were all taken up. They would play the entire brunch or lunch period. Such dedication... So when they asked if iI wanted to watch handball, I wasn't too thrilled. But no no no, this is some sick twisted version of both soccer and basketball. Played on an indoor court, you can only take 3 steps with the ball (like a small volleyball) without dribbling, or passing it on. There's a goalie in front of soccer goal posts, hoping to catch the ball before it goes in. 2 halves of 30 minutes each, one point every time you score. Simple.

Guri (our very own Norwegian Viking) was rooting for her team who needed to win to make it through, thought we would be seeing our Danish male counterparts crying at some point during the night, and used this to lure us over to actually watch. But no, not even Marmalund could help Norway play better. Denmark won 32-28, and then it was all over. Virtually the least painful sports experience of my life.