Norway's national men's football team, led by captain Martin Ødegaard, returned home to a hero's welcome on Monday, following their World Cup campaign.
What happened?
The team was greeted by a royal reception and a sea of cheering fans outside the palace in Oslo. Fighter jets escorted their private flight when they entered Norwegian air space, and the team was welcomed by King Harald V, his son Crown Prince Haakon, and their offspring Princess Ingrid Alexandra and Prince Sverre Magnus. The monarch shook hands with all the team players, coaches, and support staff, many of whom were remarkably casually dressed.
Why it matters for Martin Ødegaard
"It's been absolutely incredible to see all this," Martin Ødegaard told state broadcaster NRK, which followed the action live through the evening. "I don't think anyone had expected what we've seen here. This is beyond all expectations, as is all the support we've had both in the US and here at home in Norway."
What comes next?
The team's triumphant return was a testament to the national pride and solidarity that has swept through the country during the World Cup. Fans didn't seem to mind the flight-delayed arrival of the team, nor did the royals. "We really waited with joy," said Crown Prince Haakon.
The team's open bus ride through downtown Oslo was a highlight of the evening, with boisterous fans tossing footballs up to the players, who headed them back down again. The cheering was formidable, and it took nearly an hour for the bus to make its way through the crowds on the palace grounds with police escort.
"It was wild," head coach Ståle Solbakken told reporters outside the palace. "The king had prepared us for what we were about to meet, but we were surprised it was so enormous."
The team's World Cup campaign may have ended in defeat, but their return to Norway has been a resounding success. As Martin Ødegaard and his teammates bask in the adoration of their fans, it's clear that their impact on the country will be felt for a long time to come.
The team's return to Oslo was a celebration of their achievements, and a reminder of the power of football to bring people together. As the team emerged from the Royal Palace, they all sat down and Crown Prince Haakon banged the drum that set off another round of "ro-ro-ro" that's become an international hit.
The team's fans had begun gathering early, both on the palace grounds and along Oslo's main boulevard through the downtown area, Karl Johans Gate. After emerging from the audience with King Harald and "rowing" with fans outside the palace, the team and their support staff boarded an open bus and were driven through downtown, out to the City Hall Plaza and beyond.
It was a night that will be remembered for a long time, and one that will go down in the history of Norwegian football. As Martin Ødegaard and his teammates bask in the adoration of their fans, it's clear that their impact on the country will be felt for a long time to come.
The team's World Cup campaign may have ended in defeat, but their return to Norway has been a resounding success. As the team's fans cheered them on, it was clear that their support was unwavering.
The team's return to Oslo was a celebration of their achievements, and a reminder of the power of football to bring people together. As the team emerged from the Royal Palace, they all sat down and Crown Prince Haakon banged the drum that set off another round of "ro-ro-ro" that's become an international hit.
The team's fans had begun gathering early, both on the palace grounds and along Oslo's main boulevard through the downtown area, Karl Johans Gate. After emerging from the audience with King Harald and "rowing" with fans outside the palace, the team and their support staff boarded an open bus and were driven through downtown, out to the City Hall Plaza and beyond.
It was a night that will be remembered for a long time, and one that will go down in the history of Norwegian football.