Even though the Opening Ceremonies aren’t until Friday, the 2008 Beijing Olympics officially got under way Wednesday with some exciting girl-on-girl action. That’s right - as Heather Mitts earlier alerted us, the women’s soccer competition kicked off today. And the U.S. squad started things off by getting kicked around by Norway.

The Norwegians surprised the Americans, 2-0, in what USA TODAY writer Beau Dure described as a “sultry Wednesday night”.

Let’s let Beau tell us what happened - in very descriptive detail:

The damage started in the second minute, when Leni Larsen Kaurin smashed into U.S. defender Lori Chalupny to redirect a high cross past goalkeeper Hope Solo, who had come out to challenge but was left stranded.

The shock was doubled two minutes later, when veteran defender Kate Markgraf played the ball from midfield back toward Solo. The ball was far too soft, and Melissa Wiik outraced the U.S. defense for a clear breakaway. Solo backpedaled, but Wiik’s shot to the far post was perfectly placed.

The Americans girls tried to rally, but to no avail:

The chances improved as the USA pressed forward in the second half, but Norway effectively clamped down and challenged Solo on counterattacks. Shannon Boxx’s bending shot in stoppage time forced Norwegian goalkeeper Erika Skarboe to make her best save of the night, but it was far too late.

Soft balls? Sultry night? Clamping down? Shannon Boxx?

Now we know what kind of movies Beau ordered in his hotel room last night. Or maybe he’s enjoying this women’s soccer assignment a little too much.

And who says the Beijing Olympics is tuning down the sex?