Norway turns World Cup quarter-final loss into celebration as fans give team a heroes' welcome

Norway’s World Cup campaign ended in the quarter-finals, but fans in Oslo turned the team’s homecoming into a celebration. More than 100,000 supporter…

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Norway’s football squad landed in Oslo to a traditional water cannon salute on Monday, July 13, kicking off a homecoming parade after their World Cup quarter-final exit. More than 100,000 fans turned out despite Saturday’s 2-1 extra-time defeat to England.

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Supporters packed the Royal Palace Square and spilled onto Karl Johans gate as the team arrived for an audience with King Harald. Organisers estimated the unofficial crowd at more than 100,000 people.

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Crown Prince Haakon led the squad in a traditional “Viking row” from the palace steps, accompanied by drummers. Erling Haaland missed the moment, however. Coach Stale Solbakken said Haaland and Sander Berge had to leave early to catch a delayed flight from the United States.

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Players were forced to sit down mid-wave as the open-top bus parade briefly stalled beneath low-hanging overhead cables in central Oslo. The route later resumed towards City Hall Square, where thousands of fans were still waiting.

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Dense crowds brought the team bus to a standstill in central Oslo, at one point forcing it to reverse as police escorts worked to clear a path. Players celebrated with beer as the festivities continued into the night.

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Captain Martin Odegaard said the support in Oslo and earlier in the United States was “beyond all expectations” in comments to broadcaster NRK. Although Norway’s campaign ended in the quarter-finals, it drew record crowds back home.

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Airline Norwegian temporarily replaced its Instagram logo with British Airways’ logo after losing a pre-match wager on England’s victory over Norway. The carrier described it as a “friendly bet” that would “forever live in all our hearts.”