Texans and Americans are thrilled with Norwegian football fans. Incredible!
The evening before Norway’s match at Dallas Stadium, fans gathered at Happiest Hour in downtown Dallas to cheer on their country.
Fans filled the bar and performed the “Viking row” many times, writes Fox 4 KDFW. But there was a new twist to their performance.
A Viking version of “Sweet Caroline”, complete with fans rowing as part of the chorus.
Here they are practising singing Neil Diamond’s 1961 hit.
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One can expect to see many supporters singing the team’s viral “Viking row” chant, both at the stadium and around North Texas while the Norwegian team is staying in the Metroplex, writes Fox 4. The chant consists of two drum beats, followed by a rowing motion and a cry of “row!”.
Supporters at World Cup matches, nurses, small children and even the Norwegian Storting have been seen singing the song during Norway’s current participation in the tournament.
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Lacey Beasley from CBS News Texas has shared another version on her Facebook page, which cannot be republished. It has been viewed almost 60,000 times. Here is a version published by Stadium Scope.
The comment section on Facebook is full of praise and admiration. – Can you imagine Americans managing to sing a song in Norwegian?, writes Patricia.
Mr. Row Row
Ole Froystad (Frøystad), better known as Mr. Row Row, is a Norwegian football superfan who claims to have invented the “row” chant, writes Fox 4. – Oh, we’re going to row!, said the enthusiastic Norway supporter to reporter Steven Dial.
Mr. Row Row told Dial that he could never have dreamed that the chant would become the viral success it has.
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He is shocked that everyone is doing it and that just seeing many nations doing it together has given it far more meaning than he thought. – It warms my heart to see it, to see everything that is happening, said Frøystad.
Amelia Jones spoke with Halvor Berg, who leads the singing and chanting during Norway’s matches. He called the viral “Viking row” a real, authentic American experience:
We have done well, and I think we are really on the same wavelength as the Americans and also the other supporters, like the Scots, says Berg.
We make a lot of noise, we sing many songs, I feel as if the entire Norwegian population is gathering in Dallas and in the USA right now, to watch these events.
Once in a lifetime
Jones also spoke with Rune Vaktskiold, who told her that he had cancelled his flight home to be present at tomorrow’s match:
– It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience …
The event attracted residents of North Texas who were curious about the Norwegian atmosphere, Jones reports.
Elle-Marie Defrain played college football at the University of North Texas and says she brought her mother to Happiest Hour to see what the Norwegians were up to.
– They have been so nice, they are so friendly. They are teaching me a bit of Norwegian, said Defrain. – I actually have my hair in a bun for Haaland, I support him fully, I think he is my favourite player right now.
The Norwegian supporters have truly taken both Texas and the USA by storm.
Norwegian fans created a proper SCENE at Texas Live this morning, writes Mike Leslie, sports anchor and reporter at WFAA.
Incredible.
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