Norwegian photographer Olav Stubberud happened to be in the US when his nation pulled off an unexpected victory over Brazil at the FIFA World Cup. From the stands of the New Jersey stadium to celebrations in Times Square with the man behind the viral ROW chant, Stubberud captured what Norway’s historic win felt like from inside the crowd
A regular visitor to the USA, Norwegian photographer Olav Stubberud happened to be in New York for both Norway’s match against Côte d’Ivoire and its expectation-defying 2-1 victory over Brazil.
"It was incredible to see so much attention and energy around Norway," Stubberud says. "I met strangers whist walking my dog, who would ask me where I was from. The moment I said Noway, they'd name-drop Erling Haaland and shout 'ROOOW!'" According to Stubberud, even his American girlfriend (musician and influencer Eva Gutowski) has been swept up in the movement. "She said that if we didn't get to row with Oljeberget [Norway's national football supporters group] at the game, the whole trip would be a failure."
Stubberud's coverage includes snapshots of Ole Frøystad, the Norwegian school teacher who created the viral 'Viking Row'.
And apparently, it wasn't just Norwegians who were full of hope for the nation. "At the matches, it became hard to tell how many people were actually Norwegian," he explains. "So many supporters from other countries switched to Norway jerseys once their own team was eliminated." Following the game, Stubberud took to Times Square to celebrate, meeting up with Halvor Berg, one of the two chant leaders in Oljeberget, and Ole Frøystad, the instigator of the aforementioned Viking Row chant. "Ole was getting dragged in every direction by fans and journalists," he said. "He said he almost doesn't understand what's going on. He cannot keep up, what with videos of him or the rowing going viral."
"Watching Norway beat Brazil was one of the most emotional sporting moments of my life," the photographer explains. "Forty thousand sad faces in the stadium, but also a lot of Brazilians cheering us on afterwards, telling us they hoped Norway would go on to win the whole thing." It is this newfound wave of support that has truly moved the Norwegian. "The communal energy around Norway right now, and the new wave of Erling fans, brings something real into the next games." But does he think they will win against England? "It makes me optimistic," he says. "It could all be over tomorrow, but I think this wave, and a bit of rowing, could take the team, the country, and Erling to new heights long after the World Cup."
Below, see all of the moments Stubberud has captured amid the crowds of Norwegian fans in the USA.