Game that kicks 'nice' out of the grounds

One thing every foreigner should know about Beijingers, or the Chinese for that matter, is that many are fanatical about soccer. If you really want to see just how fanatical Chinese are, go to a soccer match. After the game you will leave without a doubt that Beijingers truly love their sport - and their team.

I recently went to see my first soccer match at a stadium. I always knew many Chinese liked soccer but I got the surprise of my life when I arrived at the Workers' Stadium that night.

Before entering the stadium, everyone has to go through a security check. After my bag went through an X-ray machine, the guard asked me to open it. I didn't expect any problems as it was just routine, or so I thought. But it turned out to be more then that.