Oslo club Vålerenga in action [Photo: Christopher Hylland]
My guest is Norwegian groundhopper Marius Helgå as we discuss groundhopping in Norway. It’s Western Europe’s longest country at 1,750km with clubs stretching from the south right up to the Arctic Circle. We discuss some big names like Vålerenga, Lyn, Odds, Viking, and Bergen, plus some smaller clubs and the national side. We also look at Norwegian fan culture and its influences, chiefly drawn from England and Germany.
We cover:
Football Structure in Norway: Norwegian football follows the calendar year, with the top leagues starting around Easter and lower leagues a few weeks later due to snow. The season usually ends around Advent, with discussions to move the Cup final earlier in the fall.
Major Clubs and Rivalries: Vålerenga has been a major club in Oslo for the past 20 years, although they were relegated last season. The historic club Lyn, which went bankrupt in 2006, has returned to the second level, reigniting their rivalry with Vålerenga.
Club Distribution and Travel: Clubs are spread out across Norway, with significant distances between them. Away supporters are common, especially in the southern part of the country. Clubs like Rosenborg, Brann, and Bodø/Glimt have strong away followings.
Stadium Experiences: Marius recommends visiting Vålerenga matches, particularly against Lyn for a great atmosphere. Kristiansund’s stadium is well-sized for its support, and Tromsø offers a unique experience with matches played in constant daylight during summer.
How Norwegian Football Copes with the Weather: Several clubs, especially in the north, use artificial pitches due to harsh winter conditions. Some clubs in the south have also adopted artificial pitches, though this is controversial among fans. Hybrid solutions are becoming more popular.
Fan Culture and Influence: Norwegian football culture is heavily influenced by English football, with large supporter clubs for Manchester United and Liverpool. Recently, German fan culture has also influenced Norwegian clubs, increasing the use of drums and pyrotechnics.
Impact of the Pandemic: After the pandemic, there was a boost in attendance across all levels of Norwegian football. The focus shifted to getting fans back into stadiums rather than enforcing strict regulations on pyrotechnics.
National Team Challenges: Despite having star players like Erling Haaland, the Norwegian national team struggles, particularly with defensive stability and consistent goalkeeping. There are concerns about the national coach’s suitability for the role.
Norwegian-Swedish Rivalry: Beating Sweden is particularly satisfying for Norwegian fans, given Sweden’s historically stronger football presence. While Norwegian clubs have recently outperformed Swedish clubs in European tournaments, the rivalry remains intense.
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