Dear friends.

So here we are at the final day of the adventure of a small nation’s football dream. (For Now). My Viking gear is resting.

Yes, it was an adventurous journey for us football-fans and us, the Norwegian national-born, who still with full heart loves the country, our old heritage, history, our nature’s beauty, the land and our native-born Norwegian people. Now, as I am living the final years of life abroad in another fantastic country it does not change my love for Norway, my birthplace, upbringing, my mother and father, the deep-rooted memories from growing up in the hard times just after the second World War. Five years of Hitler’s invasion left a mark upon all who were born there then.

Norway lost fairly this crucial World Cup match against England today. Congratulations to England, a great team, real sportsmen on the pitch. Therefore, I wish the best of luck onwards for them in this special World Cup Football Games of 2026. God bless the Spirit of the Game and the spirit of both our great national teams who played their hearts out today!  Thinking forward, the next World Cup is scheduled in 4 years from now.

I realize the impact this World Cup games have on the Norwegian public and probably on other nations as well.The Norwegian Spirit was so extraordinary displayed in the support of our team with The Rowing Vikings and our Norwegian young supporters who travelled all the way to America! Leif Erikson discovered America 400 years before the time of Columbus when Leif then by a small mistake navigated too far south on his journey to Greenland. Fascinating history, the journey in open boats, real Viking Ships, so far so distant and so long ago, so uncertain of what would lay ahead of them. But they made the journy in real strong Viiking Spirit. Our proud National Supporters will now row back to Norway with their team spirit and pride intact!

From Vinland to the World Cup

Leiv Eiriksson Discovering America, painted by Christian Krohg, 1893. Image from Wikimedia Commons. Inset image: Members of the Storting “rowing” in support of the Norwegian national football team before the so-called PST case is debated in the Storting, Norway’s parliament, on Thursday.

This is where our proud Norwegian football team played so incredibly well during those hectic summer days during this World Cup. This small nation of 5 million was impacted so much that it will never be forgotten. And may I add; a very positive impact. This was much needed in the lives of us Norwegians. The goodhearted native-born Norwegian People are unfortunately just useful bricks in the country’s useless politician’s disposition for power. The country’s great fortunes are at play. My deep wish is that changes will come for our next generations of Norwegians as much as it so magically materialized in football. But of course, politics is another game. This important change in real football greatness for Norway will unfortunately not change the vision we wish to happen in Norwegian politics. This success will not matter at all in this context. Synonymous and somewhat interesting anyway.

There are many new adventures and challenges ahead for this proud team of Norwegian Viking Players who are strongly supported by their rowing, singing, drumbeating, chanting, enthusiastic peaceful supporters. And this in itself is so un-Norwegian it’ hard to believe for an old conservative Norwegian like myself. I could not have imagined this, but it was shown on my TV, so I believe it’s real! For me it was a nice exiting journey for as long as it lasted. My heart is beating for the next Norwegian national game and the coming ones! The upcoming European Football Championship qualification games are within sight.

Saludes – Svein

This guest contribution was received on 12 July but, owing to a delay, is being published today.