A 2-1 extra-time loss to England on Saturday ended Norway’s impressive run in the quarter-finals, dashing hopes for a spot in the semifinals. Nevertheless, the country came together to celebrate their heroes.
Under the bright Norwegian sun, massive crowds gathered at the Royal Palace early Monday afternoon, with unofficial estimates exceeding 100,000 attendees.
The Norway squad arrived to a traditional water cannon salute before starting their homecoming parade in the capital.
Supporters quickly filled the palace square and extended down the main street, Karl Johans gate, as the team first met with King Harald.
Afterward, the players addressed the fans with the Royal Guard standing attentively behind them.
Striker Erling Haaland was noticeably absent during the final segment of the celebrations, having departed early.
His early exit meant he missed a final “Viking row” with teammates on the palace steps, accompanied by tens of thousands of fans below, led by Crown Prince Haakon on drums.
“Erling and Sander (Berge) had to catch their plane as our trip from the U.S. faced a four-hour delay,” coach Stale Solbakken explained while the squad prepared for an open-top bus parade around Oslo.
The bus was slowed to a halt by the crowds in central Oslo, at one point having to reverse as police struggled to create a path. Unfazed, Norway’s players raised their beers and waved as the celebration continued long into the night.
CABLES PAUSE NORWEGIAN CELEBRATIONS
An ironic moment occurred when low-hanging overhead cables halted the parade. Players who had been standing and waving flags on the top deck had to sit down to navigate the obstruction before the double-decker could move forward.
Solbakken had previously expressed his belief that a camera cable above the pitch interfered just before Jude Bellingham scored England’s equalizer in the first half of the quarter-final.
FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, has consistently denied that the ball made contact with any cables prior to the goal.
Hours into the parade, it finally reached City Hall Square, where tens of thousands of patient supporters were still eager to greet the team.
“I don’t think anyone expected this,” captain Martin Odegaard told Norwegian broadcaster NRK. “The support we’ve received both in the USA and here in Norway has exceeded all expectations. It has truly been incredible to witness.”
