What is the ‘Viking Row’ and why are Norwegian fans doing it all over town?
FOXBOROUGH — While chatting with fans on the concourse Tuesday evening at Boston Stadium, a pair of Norwegians wanted to teach me their “Viking Row.”
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So, I lined up next to them, extended my arms, and drew my elbows back.
No, no, no, they said.
Apparently, I needed to lead with my chest and then lean back as I bent my arms.
“You have to go forward and then row,” one of them corrected me. “It’s very important. You have to do it with all of your body. It looks much better if everybody does it correctly.”
There’s usually a drum that signals the row, but the Norwegians had no problems getting organized without it. A couple of crews even managed to get in sync while riding the escalators at both TD Garden and South Station before the game.
The two fans that taught me, Petter Sletaume and Simen Sagli, were among the tens of thousands of Norwegians to travel to Massachusetts to watch their country compete against Iraq in its opening group stage match. Their decision to buy tickets was a no-brainer.
“What’s the smallest town in the US?” Sletaume said. “It’s like if they qualified for the Super Bowl. Like Hawaii qualified for the Super Bowl.”
“It’s basically the one thing you do in 50 years,” added Sagli.
Norway last qualified for the World Cup in 1998, when they advanced to the Round of 16. The country has only two other appearances (1994 and 1938). After a 28-year drought, it’s unsurprising Norwegians jumped at the chance to cheer for their country in person.
“When we post photos, every person that’s home now is just jealous and saying that we need to cheer for our team,” said Gisle Moe, who flew into Boston on Monday to watch the game on Tuesday and then return to Norway on Wednesday.
“Everybody in Norway wants to be here right now,” echoed Kristian Haug.
On Monday night, more than 2,000 Norwegians gathered at Big Night Live to celebrate their return to soccer’s biggest stage. According to folks that went, they spent the night reveling.
“Expect sing-alongs, energy, and competitions, and that feeling you only get when something big is about to happen,” read a translation of the event’s description. “This is the start. Now begins the biggest adventure of the summer.”
Those in attendance on Tuesday were treated to a thrilling 4-1 victory, which featured two stunning goals from star striker Erling Haaland. Throughout the game, the sections decked out in red and blue operated as one — serenading the crowd, belting out chants, and, of course, orchestrating their classic “Viking Row.”
Although the Scots and the Tartan Army have taken over Boston, winning over the hearts of many, the Norwegians seemingly have begun to lay claim, too.
Their vibe on Tuesday was infectious. When the video board showed Norway’s players walking off the team buses before kickoff, the fans began singing their rallying anthem, “Alt for Norge,” or “All for Norway.” After the final whistle, the crowd once again broke out into song.
Even after both teams had exited the pitch, several fans remained in their seats, jumping around, waving their flags, and whistling in jubilation. At one point, some tried to start a round of the “Viking Row” but ended up quickly abandoning the move only after a few reps in because they couldn’t help but dance.
The celebration eventually moved to the concourse, where all of the aforementioned fanfare continued, and likely extended late into the night.
“It means everything to the whole nation,” Herman Oterhals said. “It’s like the only sport Norwegians follow.”
“In Norway, they even bend the political rules so almost everybody can drink,” added Sagli. “It’s that big.”
Norway now sits atop Group I with France. Up next is a match in Philadelphia against Senegal on June 22, before a return to Boston Stadium on June 26 to face France. Tuesday’s win puts them in a strong position to advance to the Round of 32.
Haaland’s prowess and the team’s relentless attack gives Norwegians hope that this squad could be one of the World Cup’s biggest sleepers among the usual powerhouses of France, Spain, England, Portugal, and Argentina.
“Whatever happens, happens,” John Magne Kveamme said. “If we go on to the semifinal, it’s just a big bonus.”
Another fan interjected.
“This guy, he doesn’t know what he’s talking about,” he said. “We want to win the World Cup.”
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