The Norwegian national football team has not played in the World Cup since 1998. Now, 28 years later, they enter the final group-stage match against favourites France tonight and can rotate their starting eleven because they are already assured of advancing.
It has created football fever in the country, according to Øystein Johansen. All events where the match is shown are sold out, the World Cup is "everywhere on all channels all the time" and, on the streets, people are wearing Erling Braut Haaland shirts, he says.
That's one of the craziest things I've ever seen.
If Norway wins against France, it will likely be Sweden - the so-called "sweet brother" - as the opponent in the round of 16 next week. This has created some anxiety in Sweden, where memories remain of the clear loss in the friendly match against Norway before the World Cup.
But even in Norway there are reservations, partly due to the Swedish national team's history in the World Cup and experience of playoff matches.
"If we face Sweden, I think the atmosphere will be overly nervous. There will probably be many who are overoptimistic, but I am not as optimistic," says Øystein Johansen.
Not tired of rowing
But first comes France - and more “rowing”, the Viking-boat-scented supporter chant that has gone viral. On Friday, Oslo residents will gather on Karl Johans gate, below the castle, to break the record for the number of rowers. Ski legend Petter Northug will keep the beat with the drum.
That's where it might peak. I think we'll stop rowing after football; then maybe that'll be enough, says Øystein Johansen with a laugh.
“A little consolation”
In the news from Norway, most of it has been about the misery of the royal family. Crown Princess Mette-Marit has been forced to undergo a lung transplant and her son, the so-called "bonus prince" Marius Borg Høiby, has been sentenced to prison.
Yes, you could say it's a small consolation. It gives you something to think about that isn't negative.
Even though the national team looks strong, the Norwegians don't seem to have completely sailed away.
"I think maybe the general hope is that we reach the quarter-finals. But I think it will be the round of 16," says Øystein Johansen.
