Fans of the Norwegian soccer team have taken the internet by storm with legendary “Viking Row” celebrations.
Following Norway’s thrilling 3-2 victory over Senegal on Monday, June 22, which marked the team’s first appearance in the World Cup knockout stage since 1998, players and fans came together in a fascinating show of solidarity.
Celebrating their team’s victory, fans sat in formation, imitating the rowing of a Viking ship, while a drummer beat the beat and the crowd roared with each synchronized pull.
The ritual arose from the viral pre-match photo shoot by British photographer David Yarrow called “The Vikings are Coming,” where the Norwegian team appeared wearing Viking costumes. The captain, Martin Odegaard, and the team’s top scorer, Erling Haaland, were very interested.
Fans flocked to Times Square to celebrate and thousands marched to King Harald V’s palace with loud chants: “Let’s wake up the king!”
Norwegian coach Ståle Solbakken called the celebration “a trick,” but cultural specialists say there is more to it. As with Iceland’s Thunderclap and New Zealand’s Haka, Viking Row involves spectators in the ritual, blurring the boundaries between players and fans. It even reached the Norwegian Parliament.
