sports
Norway Team Returns to Oslo After World Cup Quarterfinal Exit to England
Erling Haaland and Norway arrived home on July 13 after reaching the men's World Cup quarterfinals for the first time. The team defeated Brazil before losing to England 2-1 in extra time in Miami.
Jul 13, 8:16 PM·1m read2 sources
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Erling Haaland and the Norway national team landed in Oslo on July 13 to a reception from tens of thousands of supporters after the country's first appearance in a World Cup quarterfinal. Norwegian military jets escorted the team plane, and more than 100,000 fans later filled the streets for an open-top bus parade.
Norway advanced by defeating Brazil in the round of 16 before falling to England 2-1 after extra time in Miami.
Haaland scored seven goals across the tournament, Norway's first World Cup campaign in 28 years. Footage from the team's Instagram account showed players and staff watching the military escort through the plane windows. Haaland exited carrying a taxidermied raccoon holding an empty bottle, drawing laughter from those present.
Crown Prince Haakon led a Viking Row drum ceremony on the palace steps, replicating the routine used by captain Martin Ødegaard and Haaland after victories. The event followed the pattern established during the tournament. ESPN reported the sequence of the return and the scale of the crowd at the airport.
Reuters stated that more than 100,000 fans gathered in Oslo streets after the extra-time loss.
