My Travels Abroad: 05/02/09

So after arriving back from Stockholm at about 4.30pm, it was a quick rush back to Sommarstaden, dumping of luggage, eating and trying to get in touch with the others going to the ice hockey to work out where we were supposed to be going and where we could meet.

Thinking that the game was at the local stadium about 5 minutes by bike from Sommarstaden, Hanni and I decided that we'd leave about 6.15pm so we could meet the others at 6.30pm and be all seated and ready for the 7pm start. Unfortunately, just as I was about to leave I received a phone call from Suvi to inform me that she was at the stadium and there was no one in sight. Slightly panicked, I used my friends computer only to find out that the stadium we needed was on the outskirts of Malmö and only two buses run out there on event days, but not very often. So as I was trying to tell Hanni we had to run to catch a bus to get to Södervärn because I was under the impression that the buses didn't stop at Mobilia, despite the fact they drove straight past, while also trying to contact Suvi to tell her to run and catch a bus and that we'd meet her at Södervärn. So slightly frazzled and puffed, we made it to Södervärn and found the bus stop where the bus to the stadium was leaving from. Unfortunately, Suvi hadn't yet arrived and the number 85 bus arrived just after we made it to the bus stop. Once again I found myself madly trying to ring Suvi, because we'd also found out that the bus did in fact stop at both Dalaplan and Mobilia, the two stops between Sommarstaden and Södervärn. However, I was unable to get onto Suvi until she called to tell me she was at Södervärn, only for us to be passing Mobilia bus stop at that minute. There didn't seem to be any more buses heading out to the stadium either so Suvi was stranded at Södervärn while we were on our way to the game. We arrived with about 10 minutes to spare. We met up with Thomas, Samuele and the others and hurried inside to find our seats. I hadn't heard back from Suvi as to whether or not she was able to get out there so all I could do was sit and watch the game and hope she made it.

The game started and was so much fun to watch. To begin with, the two teams came out onto the ice and stood facing each other in the dark while music played. The the lights came on and the players were off, skating around to warm up. About 10 minutes later the game started. Sweden scored the opening goal within a minute of the game beginning. So everything was off to a good start. The Swedish team even had their own band who'd play music to help wind up the crowd. Ice hockey is nothing like my beloved AFL but it was definitely enjoyable. I had no idea what was going on half the time but the speed and aggression they play with makes it very enternaining.

Just before the first break (there are three thirds and so two breaks after about 20 minutes of play) Suvi called em to tell me she was at the front gate and so to come out with her ticket. Unfortunately, it must have been my leaving to get Suvi because Switzerland scored 2 goals in the time I was gone, which was bout 5 minutes before the first break.

At the second break, similar to the AFL games, they had the little league come out and play to entertain the crowd. They were all so cute, and small, but surprisingly good for their age. It was very fun to watch and cheer for them! They also had two machines come out at each break and clean the ice. And to make sure the ice didn't melt too much during the breaks, the lights over the court were turned off.

The remainder of the game was pretty good to watch though there wasn't a great deal of scoring. Sweden scored one more goal but unfortunately so did Switzerland, making them the winners. So at least Hanni and Samuele (who is actually from Switzerland) were happy.

Catching the bus home was much easier and less dramatic than getting to the stadium. Once back at Mobilia, it was decided that an ice cream from Burger King was in order before Suvi catching her bus back to Celsius and Hanni and I heading home to bed.

Overall, very, very fun night, despite all the dramas of getting there. And for all of those who have never seen and ice hockey game, I recommend trying to get to a game, or if that is impossible, watch one on TV or online.

So that was my ice hockey experience. And now I'm just hoping to try and get tickets to a soccer game. The good thing is I know that they play the games at the stadium just near sommarstaden, so there will be no confusion next time :-)

Puss och kram,
Alice
xo