How to be the center of attention

  • 2004-12-22
STRAWBERRY FOREVER: The great thing about Latvia is it's so damn easy to become famous here. Take Strawberry, for example. The 19-year-old girl ran onto the field during a World Cup qualifier between Latvia and Portugal at Skonto Stadium, and so became Latvia's first ever streaker.

Everyone seemed to enjoy it, especially the Portuguese coach. But Strawberry's plucky antics didn't go down well with the authorities, which threatened to prosecute her. Luckily, they relented and Strawberry went on to become quite the national celebrity. A Latvian shoe store chain even based an advertising campaign on her, proudly drawing attention to the fact that Strawberry was wearing its shoes during the now legendary incident. "Stay in the center of attention with shoes from europe," the ad says. Whatever that means.