The Mayor of Bergen, Newcastle's twin Norwegian city, has described a 'berserk atmosphere' in the country ahead of the World Cup quarter-final clash with England on Saturday. In an interview on Friday, Marit Warncke discussed the 'strong bond' between the two nations, how Erling Haaland is viewed back home, and even offered a score prediction.
Strong Bonds Between Newcastle and Bergen
Bergen, Norway's second-largest city, has been officially twinned with Newcastle since 1968 and annually provides the Christmas tree displayed in Haymarket. The connection extends beyond the cities, with centuries of military alliances, extensive trade, and cultural ties linking the two countries.
Now, with both football teams set to face off in the quarter-finals, a sporting rivalry has emerged. Norwegian stars like Martin Ødegaard and Erling Haaland, who play in the Premier League, are well-known to England fans.
'Berserk Atmosphere' in Norway
Mayor Warncke described the mood back home: 'The mood here is ecstatic, and there is a berserk atmosphere amongst all of us, from small children to old people. I know it will be incredible in the city tomorrow night.' She added that many Norwegians support both a local team and an English club, highlighting the connection. 'People have been cheering and dancing, and rowing of course. We are such a small country, so going so far has made it extra joyful.'
She noted that Norway is often seen as the 'little brother' of Scandinavia, so being the best at the tournament is a great feeling. 'There will be thousands in the city tomorrow, all rowing together, which will be an amazing thing to see.'
Viral Rowing and Victory Over Brazil
Asked about the fans' rowing going viral and the win against Brazil, Warncke said: 'Seeing the fans going viral for the rowing has been amazing for us. Social media can be very powerful, so commercially it can only be a good thing for Norway. To beat Brazil in the way we did was just crazy, and it exploded here. There has been such a strong wave of belief, much of it down to the incredible performances and attitude of the players.'
Erling Haaland: 'Something Out of the History Books'
The conversation turned to Erling Haaland, Norway's biggest threat. Warncke described him as 'something out of the history books' due to his Viking look and mentality. 'We are proud of how humble all the players are, Haaland included. He is just incredible and took over the world with his performances. The players aren't acting like the superstars they are, so we are proud of them for being normal people and representing the country so well.'
She added: 'It is a big force for us, and almost unbelievable the impact they are having on the people here. With England up next, our best friend in Europe, this will be a great game. The team that wins will absolutely deserve it.'
Score Prediction
Mayor Warncke predicted a 2-1 victory for Norway, saying: 'Haaland is someone who nobody seems to be able to deal with. There is a lot of mutual respect between us, and I look forward to coming back to Newcastle later this year, no matter the result.'
