Football World Cup: Before the World Cup game: Police officers greet Norway with “Viking Row”

“I didn’t see it. I was sitting on the wrong side of the plane, but it’s a surreal thing,” said Norway coach Stale Solbakken at the press conference, adding jokingly in view of the hype: “Well, I guess the inventor of rowing patented it – at least I hope so.”

That is the background of the action

The Norwegian fans made a name for themselves before and during the World Cup with the rowing battle song. The action, which some call “Viking Row”, is a kind of further development of the “Viking Clap” celebrated by Iceland at Euro 2016. The difference: After two increasingly faster drum beats, the Icelanders clapped their hands – the Norwegians, on the other hand, “row” back and forth in their seats.

Norway is taking part in a World Cup for the first time in 28 years. If they make it into the round of 16 against Ivory Coast, Haaland and Co. would definitely be rowing on the pitch again – and the fans in the stands.