As the World Cup excitement builds, Norway’s ‘Viking Row’ celebration is making waves online. This atmosphere is now alive in the stadiums.
After Norway’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Senegal on Monday, fans filled the sold-out MetLife Stadium with chants, creating a vibrant atmosphere for the 80,663 attendees.
The players embraced the festive spirit, forming lines on the field and joining in the chants. Erling Haaland, the star forward, made a significant impact by scoring twice. Meanwhile, team captain Martin Ødegaard took on a different role, drumming and leading the cheers, much to the joy of the fans clad in red.
Yet, amid all the joy, there was one Norwegian fan who stood out, remaining expressionless in his seat while everyone else celebrated around him.
This celebration extended far beyond the stadium. A display was visible in Times Square leading up to the match, and supporters even showcased their enthusiasm on the New York subway.
Van Ole Freudstad, dubbed “Mr. Row Row,” claims he played a role in organizing the Viking Row festivities.
He explained, “A thousand years ago, the Vikings were rowing a boat… We’re rowing for the team, making sure they feel good on the field and perform as they should. It’s all about giving them support.”
Haaland, who has scored four goals in the tournament’s early stages and is chasing the Golden Boot, expressed his enjoyment of the celebrations. He recalled Ødegaard asking him before the game, “Do you think I should participate?” and his affirmative reply, “If we win, we’ll do it, why not?”
The celebratory spirit hasn’t hindered Norway’s performance. They have triumphed in their first two group matches and are set to face France in a highly anticipated showdown in Foxborough on Friday.
