Norway fans pack Oslo to salute team after World Cup quarterfinal loss
More than 100,000 supporters turned out in Oslo after Norway’s run ended with an extra-time defeat to England, Reuters reported.
By Lucas Ferreira · Science & Environment Writer
2 min read
Norway’s men’s football team returned to Oslo on Monday to a large public celebration after its FIFA World Cup campaign ended in the quarterfinals, Reuters reported. The reception showed how far the side’s run had lifted national attention despite a 2-1 extra-time loss to England on Saturday.
More than 100,000 people were estimated to have gathered in the Norwegian capital, according to Reuters. Fans filled the area around the Royal Palace and stretched along Karl Johans gate, the city’s main street, under the summer sun.
The squad arrived back in Norway to a water cannon salute before taking part in homecoming events, Reuters reported. Players and staff were scheduled to continue through Oslo in an open-top bus parade after appearing at the palace.
Palace reception before city parade
Reuters reported that the team first had an audience with King Harald. The players then came out to face the crowd, with members of the Royal Guard standing behind them.
The turnout followed Norway’s defeat by England, which ended what Reuters described as a historic World Cup run. The result denied Norway a place in the semifinals, but the loss did not stop supporters from gathering in large numbers for the squad’s return.
Erling Haaland, Norway’s leading striker and one of the team’s biggest names, was absent from the final part of the palace celebration, Reuters reported. He left early and did not stand with teammates on the palace steps for a final “Viking row” with the crowd.
Crown Prince Haakon led that chant on drums, according to Reuters. Tens of thousands of supporters were gathered below the palace steps as the team marked the end of its public reception there.
Coach Stale Solbakken said Haaland and midfielder Sander Berge had to leave because of travel plans after the squad’s journey from the United States was delayed. “Erling and Sander [Berge] had to catch their plane as our trip from the US was delayed four hours,” Solbakken said, according to Reuters.
The celebration continued the same day with the open-top bus route through Oslo, Reuters reported. For Norway’s supporters, the homecoming turned a quarterfinal exit into a public salute to one of the country’s strongest World Cup performances.
This story draws on original reporting from Al Jazeera.