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"There was sad news out of Sochi early Tuesday: The Norwegian men's curling team was eliminated from the 2014 Winter Olympics. \nThat also means the Norwegian men's curling pants \u2014 transcendent fashion artifacts that charmed fans well beyond their sport's limited reach \u2014 have been eliminated from the games.  \nSee also: 4 Quirky Factoids About the Olympics' Gold Medal Tie\nLike so many of the beautiful things we lose too soon, perhaps these pants were simply too good \u2014 too original, too sophisticated in concept and style \u2014 for this harsh and unforgiving world. Nevertheless, Norway's loss to Great Britain means we won't see the fabulous trousers again in Sochi, much less on the medal podium. \nGreat Britain joins China, Canada and Sweden in the Olympic semifinals, but as for Norway's glorious pants, we're left with only memories. \nWe've collected all those memories right here in photographic form. Read on for a full recap of Norway's sartorial domination in Sochi, as well as our fashion grades for each look. \n\n\nNorway's Curling Pants Win the Olympics\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nModern, with an artistic sensibility. Grade: 9/10\r\n\nNorway wore these pants vs. Team USA on Feb. 10. \n\nImage: Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nRetro-chic and just a bit zany. Grade: 8/10\nNorway wore these pants vs. Great Britain on Feb. 16. \n\nImage: Morry Gash/Associated Press\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSimple, elegant and (relatively) understated. Grade: 7/10\nNorway wore these pants vs. Germany on Feb. 12. \n\nImage: Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nStrong and very patriotic. Grade: 10/10.\nNorway wore these pants vs. Sweden on Feb. 13.\n\nImage: Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nOriginal, floral and wholly unexpected. Grade: 10/10\nNorway wore these pants vs. Canada on Feb. 14.\n\nImage: Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nBright and adventurous. Grade: 10/10\nNorway wore these pants vs. China on Feb. 14. \n\nImage: Andrej Isakovic/AFP/Getty Images\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSwirly and psychedelic. Grade: 10/10\nNorway wore these pants vs. Denmark on Feb. 17. \n\nImage: Robert F. Bukaty/Associated Press\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSplattery, casual and slightly rebellious. Grade: 8/10\nNorway wore these pants vs. Great Britain on Feb. 18.\n\nImage: Adrian Dennis/AFP/Getty Images\n\n\n\n\n"^^<http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema#string>
<http://mashable.com/2014/02/18/norway-curling-pants/>