As pubs across the country fill with white shirts this Saturday, one red sore thumb will stick out in London. Norway's expats will cheer on their national side against England at their 'fortress' – The Kenton Pub in Hackney, east London.
Norway's World Cup run and the pub's atmosphere
The venue was the scene of wild celebrations last week when the Nordic team shocked Brazil 2-1 to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals. Around 200 expats crammed in, decked in red and white flags, to witness the historic victory.
Owner Egil Johansen, who came to the UK 25 years ago, said: 'It was unbelievable. It was absolutely pumping. When Norway scored first, it literally erupted. You can imagine the scenes.'
The crowd even engaged in rowing, a phenomenon echoing the country's Viking days that has taken over supporters around the world.
A Norwegian fortress in London
Egil took over the pub in 2009, sprucing up the traditional Victorian building with Norwegian memorabilia, including a massive moose head on the wall that his grandfather shot in the 1970s. 'We have made it a Norwegian fortress for the football,' he said.
Norwegians in London number just in the thousands, but they have flocked to The Kenton as their screening venue of choice. 'We have had people coming from Peckham, Kensington, north London, and a couple of people coming from Surrey,' Egil added.
With England games, the pub also gets English fans, but has not reached capacity. That looks set to change now England and Norway square off. 'There will be loads of people coming to us to watch the match. I think it will be magical. On Saturday I just wish we had twice the size of the pub,' Egil said.
Friendly rivalry and hopes for peace
Despite the potential for rowdy scenes, The Kenton is confident any England fans who come will fit into the friendly atmosphere. Egil said: 'It will obviously get heated when the game starts, because we all want to win. I do hope it will be very civil, regardless of who wins. We do not want any sort of trouble. Luckily we are a pub that does not have much trouble.'
He recalls the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina, which saw more than 100 Argentinians watching alongside a handful of Germans. Even though Germany won in extra time, both sides remained polite, and the Argentinians left 'quietly and peacefully'.
Haaland and the dilemma of loyalty
The red and blue crowd at The Kenton this Saturday, donning Viking horns, will be confident their side can upset the Three Lions. Their hopes rest on Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker who is a national hero back home. Egil said: 'He is massive in Norway, everyone loves him. He is very humble. He talks a lot about Norwegian kids being inspired and wanting to play with a Norwegian badge on their shirt. I definitely think we can win the match. I think it will be a really even game. Hopefully we can open each other up and get some good play.'
Many Norwegians have a close affinity to English football – the Nordic country has been showing English top-flight football on TV since the 1960s. For Egil, a Tottenham supporter, there will be a conflict of loyalty. He said: 'I feel very British. I have been living in this country for 25 years, I have a wife from Manchester. I have always supported England in tournaments. There will be a little bit of a dilemma now. Win or lose, I will support England if they win. Norway and England have a strong bond.'
Whatever the outcome on Saturday, Norwegian fans in The Kenton can celebrate history. Before this World Cup, Norway only made it to three World Cups and had never reached the quarter-finals before.
