In fact, many European countries won't admit it, but deep inside they are, too. Understandably, the Germans have pulled in the biggest hordes, with 65,886 spectators attending their five matches so far or an average of 13,177 per game. The United States is a respectable second with an average of 10,113, even more than Sweden, with its big-name NHLers like Edmonton Oilers goalkeeper Tommy Salo, Ottawa Senators Daniel Alfredsson and Vancouver Canucks Mattias Ohlund, whose fans can easily make the short trip across the narrow Baltic sea. Even the neighboring Czechs, two-time defending champions and reigning Olympic gold medalists, haven't had the same lure. And Canada, the birthplace of hockey and a legendary power with an NHL-stacked roster that includes emerging Tampa Bay Lightning superstar Vincent Lecavalier, has on average drawn 2,500 fewer spectators per game.
American sportsmen are the best in the world, and that's a fact.
I also love American basketball. Americanisms pepper the German language, but particularly in the world of sport. During that time, the United States' clash against Sweden drew a whopping 18,515, the second-highest attendance ever in the history of the indoor world championships. The record was set three days earlier when 18,539 people crammed into the Cologne Arena to watch Germany's stunning 2-2 draw with the Czechs. The Americans are currently second in their group standings, despite a couple of embarrassing losses to underdog teams.