VANCOUVER (Reuters) - The Norwegian Olympic men's curling team are highly unlikely to be accused of being all mouth and no trousers.

Photo: uk.loudmouthgolf.com

They have become the talk of competitors and fans alike at the Vancouver Games with their red, white and blue harlequin-pattern pants.

The team squared off against top-ranked Canada on the first day of competition on Tuesday 16 February, losing a tight game 7-6 in extra ends but it was the loud legwear which had the Vancouver Olympic Center buzzing.

Swedish captain Niklas Edin beat Britain in his first match, but joked that he was still distracted by the trousers worn by the Norwegians on the adjacent sheet of ice.

"We saw four clowns coming up and down the ice," Edin said. "No, it's a fun thing."

The pants are made by LoudMouth Golf, the brand made famous by professional golfer John Daly. The company refers to them as "the first argyle pants for men in the world."

Norway skipper Thomas Ulsrud said he did not expect the fuss his slacks are causing, although the curling world is sometimes seen as a staid one. His team mate Christoffer Svae was the driving force behind the fashion statement.

"He's like, 'Hey guys -- we've got to play in them. They're cool. Come on, you'll get used to them, you know?'" Ulsrud said.

The reaction back home in Norway?

"The tendency is, the chicks dig them and the guys ... they're not too sure about it," he said.

Canadian captain Kevin Martin said the brightly colored diamond patterns did not throw him off his game.

"They were wearing them in practice, so we've seen them a couple of times. But it's unique," Martin said.

(Editing by Ed Osmond)