"He had timed it perfectly, but he and Sander Berge had an agreement that could not be broken. It is not their fault, but because we were delayed for several hours in the USA," national team coach Ståle Solbakken told TV2, according to NTB.
Central Oslo was transformed into a huge sea of red, blue and white people on Monday evening. The fans patiently waited to see their World Cup heroes. Norwegian police estimate that over 100,000 - and up to 120,000 - gathered in central Oslo, writes NTB.
"It's hard to put this into words"
The Norwegian football team landed a couple of hours late at Gardermoen just after 7:00 PM.
From there, a bus ride to the castle awaited, where King Harald, Crown Prince Haakon, Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus welcomed the team with refreshments.
Shortly after 9:30 p.m., the Norwegian World Cup players went out to meet all the fans. Under the leadership of Crown Prince Haakon, they all rowed together.
The support we have received is beyond all expectations, says team captain Martin Ødegaard to NRK.
It's hard to put this into words. It's incredible to see how the whole country has stood behind us.
Three needed care
After the rowing, it was time for the bus procession at a snail's pace from the castle, via Karl Johan to Rådhusplassen. The players were greeted with deafening cheers throughout the journey.
Despite so many people and a temperature of 29 degrees during the evening in Oslo, the event was able to be carried out without major mishaps. Three people received medical treatment due to the heat, writes NTB.
Norway lost the World Cup quarter-final to England 2-1.
