Oslo gives Norway team a huge welcome after World Cup exit

OSLO: More than 100,000 supporters turned out in Oslo on Monday to welcome home Norway’s national football team, days after its World Cup campaign ended with a quarter-final defeat to England.

Norway’s run in the tournament came to a close on Saturday with a 2-1 extra-time loss, ending the team’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals. Despite that disappointment, large crowds gathered in the Norwegian capital under summer sunshine, with an unofficial estimate putting attendance at above 100,000 around the Royal Palace and along central streets.

The squad arrived to a traditional water-cannon salute before beginning a homecoming procession through the city. Supporters filled the palace square and stretched down Karl Johans gate as the team first attended an audience with King Harald. The players later appeared before the crowd with the Royal Guard standing behind them.

Speaking to Reuters, Norway fan Catherine Breiland described the public mood during the tournament and after the team’s return.

I have felt very proud, it has been amazing, I have been both at home and in Spain, and the atmosphere between the Norwegian people has been there all the time, so it has been unbelievable

Striker Erling Haaland did not take part in the final stage of the celebrations after leaving early. His absence meant he was not present on the palace steps for a final Viking row with teammates and fans below. That segment was led by Crown Prince Haakon on the drums.

Coach Stale Solbakken said Haaland and Sander Berge had to leave because of travel arrangements after a delay to the squad’s return journey from the United States.

Erling and Sander (Berge) had to catch their plane as our trip from the U.S. was delayed four hours

Bus parade slowed by crowds and cables

The celebrations continued with an open-top bus parade through Oslo, but dense crowds in the city centre repeatedly slowed its progress. At one point, the bus had to reverse as police escorts struggled to clear a route.

There was also an awkward pause when low overhead cables blocked the top deck, forcing players who had been standing and waving flags to sit down until the bus could pass. The moment carried added irony because Solbakken had earlier said he believed the ball struck a camera cable before Jude Bellingham scored England’s first-half equaliser in the quarter-final. FIFA has repeatedly denied that the ball made contact with any wire before the goal.

Even after several hours, supporters were still waiting at City Hall Square when the parade completed its 1.3-kilometre route. Players continued celebrating, waving to fans and drinking beer as the festivities went on after dark.

Nicolai Sivesind, who travelled to Oslo for the World Cup-related events, said the team’s run had exceeded expectations.

The run the Norwegian team has had this year has been way beyond anything I've ever expected. I feel everybody in Norway should just honour the national team, which has done such an amazing job during this whole cup

Captain Martin Odegaard later told Norwegian broadcaster NRK that the scale of the reception had surpassed what the team expected.

I don't think anyone had imagined this. The support we have received in the USA and here at home in Norway, has been beyond all expectations. It has been absolutely incredible to see.