Marry-ment Kicks Off Soccer Match

Oivind Ekeland, a Norwegian, was playing soccer in Rio de Janeiro when he caught the eye of Rosangela de Souza, from Brazil. So it was only fitting that eight years later the pair would marry on the soccer field, before Norway played Brazil in a World Cup match Tuesday night.

"I love football," Ekeland says. "And when we saw the draw, that Brazil and Norway were playing in the World Cup, we knew that was a sign."

Ekeland asked FIFA, the World Cup organizer, for permission to be married at the game. "A week later, we got a letter saying it was OK," he says.

A pastor friend, Tore Thomassen, flew down from Norway with 30 of Oivind's pals and his parents to perform the marriage.

The wedding party started at the Sofitel Hotel, and a white Cadillac convertible took them through the streets to the stadium. Champagne and canapés were laid out in the VIP compound.

Ekeland and de Souza will return to Norway, where they own a sports bar and restaurant, and care for their 5-year-old daughter, Kristine, in a few weeks.

First they're headed on a honeymoon. The couple is going to Paris, where they plan to catch the World Cup final on July 12.

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