Norway players received a stunning welcome as they landed back home after the FIFA World Cup. The fans stormed the streets and were seen outside the airport, while the Crown Prince Haakon led the Viking Row.
In a vide,o posted by Sølve Merkesdal, fans were spotted outside the Royal Palace on Monday afternoon. Reports suggest that more than 100,000 people gathered, as the players met King Harald.
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The touchdown was also followed by a traditional water cannon salute, with a homecoming parade right after. The FIFA World Cup heroes were knocked out in the quarterfinals by England, with Jude Bellingham scoring the two goals after Andreas Schjelderup opened the scoring.
Erling Haaland spoke about their journey in the FIFA World Cup, saying that the players were proud of their performances. He said that they have put the country on the map and said:
“I think it has been unreal honestly. The performances are one thing; beating Brazil is one thing – but I think the way Norway has been put on the map is one that maybe touches me the most. I think with the [Viking] row [from the Norwegian fans], with how good people we are – and we are good people – I think that really touches me. So yes, we put Norway on the map and hopefully now we can establish something when it comes to the Euros, World Cups and everything because our generation is amazing.”
“And also, I hope this gives motivation to young people back in Norway that’s it’s possible to play on the biggest stage in the world with a Norway t-shirt on. I think this changes Norway and I think it changes me. We’re building something in Norway, and I think it’s already built. I think we are there now and it’s about maintaining this because we have shown that it’s possible to beat one of the biggest football nations in the world in Brazil. Of course, we have lost to England now, but we gave then a good fight and with some decisions it could have been different.”
Erling Haaland and Sander Berge missed the Viking Row with the fans outside the Royal Palace, as they had travel plans.
Norway had a stunning run at the FIFA World Cup
Norway started their FIFA World Cup campaign with a 4-1 win over Iraq, and followed it up with a 3-2 win over Senegal. They rested all their top players for the third group stage game, having already sealed qualification, and ended up losing 4-1 to France.
They defeated Ivory Coast 2-1 in the Round of 31, before stunning Brazil with the same scoreline in the Round of 16. However, their journey ended with the same scoreline, with England knocking them out in the quarterfinal.
Edited by Sripad