Norway’s 1994 and 1998 World Cup teams united the entire country. Oslo’s streets were filled to the brim with fans. Gunnar Halle, a right back on those squads, remembers being escorted through the capital in a horse-drawn carriage after 1994 qualifiers.
It didn’t matter if you weren’t a soccer fan. If you could walk, you were likely there.
The city was even more lively when Norway upset Brazil in groups in 1998 — scenes the country hadn’t seen since it was liberated from ****** occupation in 1945, Norwegian commentator Kasper Wikestad believes.
But that feeling has been absent for over a quarter-century. For various reasons — poor coaching decisions, late mistakes, not enough talent — Norway missed the next six World Cups.
Until now. For the first time in 28 years, Norway is back at the World Cup. And it’s not just because the tournament expanded to 48 teams this year; Norway is one of the top squads competing. With an unusually strong offense — led by superstar forward Erling Haaland — and a zone defense that was airtight in qualifiers, it’s primed for a deep run.
It didn’t matter if you weren’t a soccer fan. If you could walk, you were likely there.
The city was even more lively when Norway upset Brazil in groups in 1998 — scenes the country hadn’t seen since it was liberated from ****** occupation in 1945, Norwegian commentator Kasper Wikestad believes.
But that feeling has been absent for over a quarter-century. For various reasons — poor coaching decisions, late mistakes, not enough talent — Norway missed the next six World Cups.
Until now. For the first time in 28 years, Norway is back at the World Cup. And it’s not just because the tournament expanded to 48 teams this year; Norway is one of the top squads competing. With an unusually strong offense — led by superstar forward Erling Haaland — and a zone defense that was airtight in qualifiers, it’s primed for a deep run.
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