The game started mellow, with no action the first half...the crowd wasn't singing or doing much of anything except drinking and socializing.  Not the same as Latin American fans.  When Japan scored the first goal, the crowd was in disbelief.  But soon after, they didn't seem worried...until the next goal, then people were nervous, and you could hear a pin drop. Their collective breath was taken, and you could feel the negative energy.

Then the comeback began.  A lucky if not bizarre header found itself in the net, cutting Belgium's deficit in half.  People were happy, but not raging.  But upon the equalizer, I felt it raining....beer.  LOTS of beer.  People around us were literally soaked with beer.  Good for the concession stands' business!  But a shame...the Belgians don't drink cheap light beer, just the good stuff (side note:  Bruge has a great brewery called De Halve Maan or "Half Moon" - worth a visit, esp since none of it is exported).

The atmosphere was tense toward the end, as Japan pressed on to re-take the lead.  Their risky strategy backfired...the video linked here says it all - the poor Japanese players and manager, the screaming Belgium fans.  It was mayhem...and the Belgians finally broke out into song.  

A very exciting World Cup moment, without having to be at an actual World Cup game!