Arabic version: النرويجيون في سيدني يحتفلون بتأهل منتخبهم إلى ربع نهائي كأس العالم
Sydney’s Norwegian community turned the steps of the Opera House into a celebration spot as Norway advanced to the World Cup quarter-finals for the first time in the country’s football history.
According to SBS News, the crowd performed the tournament’s recognisable “Norwegian row” and gathered to mark Norway’s run after notable wins over Côte d’Ivoire and five-time winner Brazil, having finished second in their group.
Members of the Norwegian Australian Chamber of Commerce described pride in the squad’s collective approach, noting striker Erling Haaland’s role as the face of the campaign and his seven goals in the tournament so far. Chamber president Sophia Toftdahl told SBS News the team were “just being very humble about it, happy and celebrating, which is a very kind of Norwegian thing, and that makes us super proud.” The coverage notes Norway is a nation of about 5.6 million people, competing in only its fourth World Cup and its first in 28 years.
Toftdahl, who arrived in Australia as an international student in 2003, said the Norwegian Australian Chamber of Commerce was founded in 2014 to strengthen business links while celebrating Norwegian culture. She described community traditions such as the annual 17th of May Constitution Day and Christmas events, when groups across states gather with traditional food.
The story mirrors large celebrations at home: more than 90,000 fans flooded the streets of Oslo after Norway’s 2-1 win over Brazil in the Round of 16, and tens of thousands more gathered at Ullevaal stadium to watch on giant screens. So loud were the celebrations that Norway’s seismology institute, NORSAR, recorded earth tremors in Bergen when Haaland scored in the group game against Iraq.
Locally, sources cited nearly 4,000 Norwegian-born residents in Australia and about 32,000 Australians of Norwegian descent, according to the 2021 Census. The article also reports hundreds of Norwegian exchange students across Australia organising watch parties or gathering at pubs to cheer the national team.
What happens next: Norway will take on England at Miami Stadium at 7am AEST on Sunday, with the match available live and free on SBS or SBS On Demand.
Related sections: General | Social/إجتماعية | Australia/استراليا | New South Wales | World/العالم
