Chinese, Norwegians show some jet lag

The Chinese and Norwegian national teams arrived under similar circumstances but with different attitudes last night at Logan Airport.

Both teams played Women's World Cup quarterfinals Wednesday, went straight to their hotels, and rested up for the six-hour journey they made from San Jose, Calif., to Boston to prepare for their semifinal showdown Sunday at Foxboro Stadium. Both seemed exhausted upon arrival at Logan, headed straight for their hotels, and finally, to bed.

The Chinese were a little grumpy upon arrival, refusing to speak to anyone, and a team representative pushed someone who approached them. The Norwegians, though, were more than happy to talk - after all, they had a few questions of their own.

''Did the US win?''

Yes, 3-2.

''What was the game like?''

The Americans were down early but scored two consecutive goals in the second half.

''What's the weather been like?''

Hot. But nothing compared to what you had in San Jose.

The Norwegians showed the wear of their journeys. The whole thing is starting to get old: play the game, go to bed, fly across country, talk to reporters, practice, play the game, and so on and so forth. But there is something pushing them on.

''This is when it gets fun,'' said Ann Kristin Aarones, who scored in Norway's victory over Sweden Wednesday. ''It's getting a little bit more tiring, but we are more and more excited as the weeks go by.''

Both teams arrived rather anonymously. The Chinese received a few stares from folks wondering why they were dressed similarly.

''There must be some convention in town,'' someone said.

The Norwegians received some recognition when they got off the plane, but no signs, no banners, no fans waiting to embrace them.

''It's been quiet everywhere we go,'' Aarones said, ''but that's kind of nice. It must be tough for the US.''

Anyway, who needs recognition when you get some of the perks the players do?

''It's nice; we don't have to get our own luggage,'' Aarones said, watching the other passengers from her flight wait at the baggage claim. ''People do it for us. It's going to be hard when we get back home and have to do it again.''

Both teams will practice tomorrow, the Chinese at 5 p.m. at Babson College and the Norwegians at 6 p.m. at Middlesex School in Concord. The practices are open to the public.

Plenty of tickets remain for the China-Norway game, slated for 7:30 p.m., with prices ranging from $30 to $75. They may be purchased by calling 1-800-WWC-TIKS. Group tickets are available by calling 1-877-GET-REVS. Tickets also may be bought at the Foxboro Stadium ticket office and through Ticketmaster outlets. In the first game of Sunday's doubleheader, the Revolution play the New York/New Jersey MetroStars at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are good for both games.

Globe correspondent Shira Springer contributed to this report.

This story ran on page E09 of the Boston Globe on 07/02/99.
© Copyright 1999 Globe Newspaper Company.