World Cup dream ends but party goes on as proud Norwegians salute historic run

OSLO: While the sting of defeat by England was palpable, thousands of Norwegian fans poured onto the streets of Oslo in ​the early hours of Sunday to transform their final World ‌Cup night into a celebration of a historic tournament run.

Despite being 2 a.m. local time following a gallant 2-1 quarter-final lossagainst England after extra time in Miami, ​fans clad in red, white and blue marched toward the ​Royal Palace from around Oslo for one final “Viking row,” the ⁠thunderous ritual that made the Norwegian supporters tournament darlings.

“We are proud ​of them. Thanks for the great memories,” one fan told public broadcaster ​NRK while joining the crowds to celebrate a run that even four years ago would have been dismissed as unlikely. Norway had never won a knockout-stage match ​in the World Cup before this year’s finals.

To an outsider, there ​was little sign the team had lost.

The celebrations filled the night air, with Norway’s ‌journey ⁠leaving fans filled ambitious for the future.

Chants of “We are gonna win the Euros in two years” - to the tune of Twisted Sister’s “We’re Not Gonna Take It” - rang out in the darkness as Norwegian delicacy brown ​cheese was handed ​out.

Bellingham double fires England past Norway into World Cup semis

Another fan ⁠at the Palace square did not take the defeat too badly. “It’s national pride, we are celebrating something we ​did together,” he said, as the national anthem echoed ​through the ⁠night, flares lit up the sky and fireworks crackled over the tens of thousands filling the main thoroughfare of Karl Johan.

“It has been an ⁠amazing ​journey. The Viking row has gone around ​the world and we have done everything and more than we could dream of,” another ​Norway supporter said.