Geir Martinsen and Richard Stott have shared a deep bond for nearly half a century, forged by a love of soccer, Manchester City and their adopted home of Oslo.
On Saturday, however, the longtime friends will find themselves on opposing sides as Norway faces England in the FIFA World Cup quarter‑final showdown.
“You can’t change the country where you were born,” said Mr. Stott, 58, who moved from Manchester to Norway more than 25 years ago.
“As they say, you can never change your kids or your football team,” added Mr. Martinsen, 53, who arrived in Oslo from Norway’s southeast in the same year as Mr. Stott. “Even though he has lived in Norway for many years, I fully understand why he supports England.”
For 90 minutes at least, they will be at odds as another chapter in the long, intertwined history of England and Norway is written—one marked by rivalry, conflict, settlement and friendship spanning more than a thousand years.
Well before the Viking raids of the late eighth century, traders regularly crossed the North Sea, weaving connections among the fractious kingdoms of the era.
The violence of the Viking Age later reshaped much of Britain, as early English monarchs fought and eventually made peace with Scandinavian raiders and settlers. Traces of Norwegian influence remain today in language and culture, notably in places such as the Orkney Islands.
In the modern era, ties grew through commerce and diplomacy. Norway imported British luxury goods, while Britain backed Norway’s push for independence from Sweden in 1905. The two nations also share royal connections: Princess Maud, daughter of King Edward VII of Britain, became Queen of Norway, ruling alongside King Haakon VII.
During World War II the countries were allies, with the Norwegian royal family exiled in London while Nazi forces occupied their homeland. As a gesture of gratitude, Norway sends a Christmas tree to London each year, where it is prominently displayed in Trafalgar Square.
Soccer has long served as a bridge between the nations. Fans routinely travel across the North Sea to attend matches, and Norway’s most prominent players have made their mark in English leagues.
Manchester City’s star striker Erling Haaland, born in Leeds to a Norwegian father who played in the 1990s, exemplifies this cross‑border talent flow. Earlier this year, Norway’s captain, Martin Ødegaard, lifted the Premier League trophy with Arsenal, where he also serves as captain.
“I’ve supported England as if I were English ever since the 1990 World Cup,” said Martin Molden, a psychologist and Sheffield United fan. “But I’m Norwegian, and this Saturday I’m 100 percent behind Norway.”
The pre‑match rivalry has so far remained playful. At a NATO summit in Turkey, both countries’ prime ministers posed together in their national jerseys, and the British Embassy in Oslo responded with tongue‑in‑cheek humor to a Norwegian newspaper article predicting England’s failure.
“Should Norway win, we shall congratulate you graciously. Shortly afterward, we reserve the right to blame the weather. Nothing personal. Merely tradition,” the embassy posted on Facebook. “Should England win, we trust you will remember that football is, after all, coming home. It simply has a habit of taking the scenic route.”
“Football’s coming home” is a slogan England has echoed since its sole World Cup victory in 1966. Each generation hopes to repeat that triumph, a quest that has piled pressure on the national team and broken many fans’ hearts.
“England are very good at letting the fans down, aren’t they?” observed Terry Milnes, head of the Arsenal North West Supporters Club. Mr. Milnes, 70, said he cannot help but hope for a win on Saturday, yet the team’s long history of disappointment keeps him wary.
Norway, meanwhile, is enjoying its most successful World Cup run to date. The team’s Viking Row has become a cultural phenomenon, drawing new admirers and energizing fans.
“I’m rooting for Norway’s team,” said Owen Cross, 27, an Englishman who moved to Norway three years ago. “England had many chances to win the title and it’s time for Norway to get a shot.”
Skiing, not soccer, is Norway’s unofficial national pastime, while football is the common language in England. Analysts debate whether Norway’s current success mirrors the memorable upset over Germany at the 1936 Olympics or reflects the nation’s broader investment in sports development, fueled by oil‑wealth discovered in 1967.
“We’ve gone from being an amateur football nation to becoming a professional one,” said Arne Scheie, 82, a veteran football commentator who has covered decades of World Cup action.
Some of England’s closest neighbours—each with their own histories of conflict—have thrown their support behind Norway as well.
Scotland’s Tartan Army fans have joined rows with Norway’s plastic‑helmeted Vikings, while many Welsh and Irish supporters have also rallied. One of them, Maeve Brereton, an Irish citizen living in England, spent the week hunting for a Norway jersey. She settled for a women’s kit designed for 13‑ to 15‑year‑old boys and, if that fails, plans to customise a red T‑shirt with the Norwegian spelling “NORGE.”
“One of them is going to fit me on Saturday,” said Ms. Brereton, who has lived in England for more than six years. (Ireland did not qualify for the tournament.)
“Everyone seems nice, and it felt like a wholesome thing to get involved in,” she added. “Sometimes, especially with England football fans, it’s not that inclusive an environment.”
Yet the rivalry promises to stay friendly. Long‑time club fans are already looking beyond Saturday and the World Cup. Mr. Milnes will continue to attend regular Arsenal matches with a Norwegian friend who lives in England, and Messrs. Martinsen and Stott plan to meet after the game to dissect the action.
“Whatever happens,” Mr. Stott said, “we’re not going to fall out.”
Lynsey Chutel
Reporter
This is a question for anyone who isn’t Norwegian or English: Who will you be cheering for in tonight’s quarterfinal? Norway has emerged as the feel‑good team of the tournament. The Viking Row is infectious, and it seems everyone wants to be Erling Haaland’s friend. It’s not hard to see why so many people, even some English fans, are backing them tonight. On the other hand, the pressure is on for England and some fans I spoke to would not even dare to hope. And yet, they do. Every generation of England’s national team hopes to be the one to bring the cup home to the birthplace of football (aka soccer). The frown on Harry Kane’s face says it all. I’m torn, but I’ll still be watching what is sure to be a riveting game.
Henrik Pryser Libell and Louise Krüger contributed reporting.