The World Cup has seen its fair share of memorable moments, but none as quirky as Norway's Viking imitation. The celebration, which involves the collective movement of fans in a rowing motion, has captured the imagination of fans and politicians alike.
The Viking row was first performed in Oslo after Norway beat Ivory Coast in the Round of 32. The energy of the celebration was so intense that seismologists even recorded an earthquake due to the collective movement. The royal family of Norway was even spotted joining in on the fun, with a video of them rowing on a subway carriage making the rounds.
The idea behind the Viking row is credited to a primary school teacher in Norway, who likened the chant of Norwegian football club Rosenborg to the Norwegian word for "row." The plan was taken to the Norwegian supporters' club, where it made its debut during a match against Switzerland in March. The celebration gained popularity during a World Cup warm-up game against Sweden in June, with over 38 million people viewing the video on Instagram.
Despite its seemingly innocent nature, the Viking row has come under fire for its portrayal of the Viking period. Critics argue that the glorification of the Vikings, who were known for their raids and violence, is not appropriate. Additionally, the use of Norse imagery has been criticized in Norway, where it has become associated with far-right and neo-Nazi groups.
Sweden has also taken issue with the historical inaccuracies of the Viking row, pointing out that Vikings from modern-day Sweden were known for river rowing, while those from Norway were pioneers in ocean sailing. Despite the backlash, it appears that the Viking row is set to become a permanent addition to Norwegian football culture.
The celebration has already made its way to the UK, where England fans will be hoping it has a night off when the two sides meet in the quarter-final on Saturday evening.
