The women's World Cup soccer tournament helped lift the spirits of a devastated Japan, re-invigorated enthusiasm for soccer in the United States and introduced us all to a new metric for determining the magnitude of an event's buzz.

TPS: Tweets Per Second.

The championship match Sunday between the U.S. and Japan set a new record by generating 7,196 TPS, according to statistics from Twitter. The previous mark was 6,939, set just after midnight in Japan on New Year's Day.

As a frame of reference, the death of Osama bin Laden had 5,106 TPS and the Super Bowl between the Packers and Steelers had 4,064 TPS, although Twitter continues to add more followers every month.

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But many of those who tweeted about the soccer match, which Japan won on penalty kicks, were hardly hardcore soccer devotees, which speaks to how compelling the competition and related story lines were. Consider this cross section of tweeters:

Barack Obama, :
"Couldn't be prouder of the women of #USWNT after a hard-fought game. Congratulations to Japan, Women's World Cup Champions."

Seth Meyers, :
"Congrats to Japan and thanks to USWNT for the amazing tournament."

Kate Couric, :
"Heartbreaking for US. But happy for japan a country that has suffered so much this year...great job team USA! Going to have a stiff drink."

Ellen DeGeneres, :
"Great job today @ussoccer_wnt. Y'all are amazing, and champions in my book! #USWNT"

Lil Wayne, :
"Props to the US women's soccer team,u guys did better than great! Icons"

Nancy Pelosi, :
"Team USA-you made us proud and will continue to inspire girls & women on and off the field. Congrats to Japan"

Tom Hanks, :
"Team USA. You are loved. Thank you Boxx Rapino Wambach Solo et al. What sports. Congrats Japan. Hanx"

Ryan Seacrest, :
"Too bad this game isn't being scored by shots on goal."

Ashton Kutcher, :
"Already getting fired up for the world cup match. #USA"