There is plenty of pride in the team despite yesterday’s heartbreak (Image: Getty)
As an Englishman, I know I should have been celebrating after Jude Bellingham’s extra-time winner sent England into the FIFA World Cup semi-finals. Instead, I found myself standing in the rain in Oslo feeling completely heartbroken. That probably sounds strange. A few years ago, I could never have imagined saying it.
But I now live in Oslo and my wife is Norwegian, so over the last few years Norway has become my second team. This World Cup changed that. Over the last month, I haven’t just been hoping Norway would do well. I was cheering them on with all my heart. Their incredible run only added to that feeling, even though I didn’t think I could love this country any more than I already did. One of the biggest reasons is the way Norway celebrates football.
The biggest fan zone was set up in Oslo’s Rådhusplassen (Image: Getty)
People have been rowing in the streets (Image: Getty)
The biggest fan zone was set up in Oslo’s Rådhusplassen, where around 100,000 people came together before the quarter-final against England.
It was a family event with no alcohol allowed. Children kicked footballs around in Norway shirts, parents waved flags and grandparents sat together watching the build-up. It was simply thousands of people enjoying one unforgettable day together.
But it wasn’t just the match days that made this tournament feel so special. Over the last month, the World Cup has been impossible to escape.
Norwegian flags have appeared almost everywhere you look. People have been walking around in Norway shirts every day. Schools and nurseries have been decorated with posters wishing the team luck.
Even a quick trip to the supermarket felt different. Almost every display seemed to be World Cup themed, with pictures of Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard and the rest of the squad smiling back at you. It honestly felt like the whole country had been called up to the national team.
Over the last month, the World Cup has been impossible to escape (Image: Getty)
The celebrations have been wild over the last few weeks (Image: Getty)
What made it even more special was that there was always a feeling that this journey might end with the next game.
Norway had waited 28 years just to get back to the World Cup. Nobody expected the team to reach the quarter-finals, let alone beat Brazil and push England all the way into extra time. Every match felt like a bonus, which somehow made everyone enjoy the moment even more.
And that’s the real reason I’m heartbroken. It’s not because England won. I’ll be supporting England in the semi-finals and I hope they go all the way. It’s because one giant national celebration has suddenly come to an end.
When Andreas Schjelderup put Norway ahead against England, the dream suddenly felt real. Even after Jude Bellingham equalised, there was still belief. Then came the disallowed goal, the VAR controversy and, eventually, Bellingham’s winner in extra time.
On another day, it could easily have gone the other way. After the final whistle, my wife was in tears. So were many of the Norwegians around us.
Not because they were disappointed with the team. Quite the opposite. These players have become national heroes. They have given this country memories that will last forever and taken Norway further than almost anyone thought possible.
On Sunday morning all of the celebrations came to an end (Image: Getty)
This Norway team has made an entire nation believe again (Image: Getty)
People were crying because they knew the party was over. By Sunday morning, Oslo already felt different. The constant buzz that had filled the city over the last month had gone quiet.
As I’m writing this, most Norwegians are asleep instead of celebrating in the streets. The noise has gone. The excitement has gone.
That feeling that an entire country was living the same dream has gone too. But I don’t think it will stay that way for long.
This Norway team has made an entire nation believe again. After everything I’ve seen over the last month, I’m convinced this is only the beginning.
And while England deserved their place in the semi-finals, a part of me wishes this remarkable Norwegian summer could have lasted just one game longer.
