As an Englishman, Kris Boratyn knows he should have been celebrating after Jude Bellingham's extra-time winner sent England into the FIFA World Cup semi-finals. Instead, he found himself standing in the rain in Oslo feeling completely heartbroken.
Boratyn, who lives in Oslo and is married to a Norwegian, has adopted Norway as his second team over the last few years. This World Cup intensified that connection, as he cheered for Norway with all his heart throughout their incredible run.
The Norwegian football celebration
One of the biggest reasons for Boratyn's emotional investment is the way Norway celebrates football. The biggest fan zone was set up in Oslo's Rådhusplassen, where around 100,000 people gathered before the quarter-final against England. It was a family event with no alcohol allowed. Children kicked footballs around in Norway shirts, parents waved flags and grandparents sat together watching the build-up.
Over the last month, the World Cup has been impossible to escape. Norwegian flags appeared almost everywhere. People walked around in Norway shirts every day. Schools and nurseries were decorated with posters wishing the team luck. Even a quick trip to the supermarket felt different, with World Cup-themed displays featuring pictures of Erling Haaland, Martin Ødegaard and the rest of the squad.
A nation's dream comes to an end
Norway had waited 28 years just to get back to the World Cup. Nobody expected the team to reach the quarter-finals, let alone beat Brazil and push England all the way into extra time. Every match felt like a bonus, which made everyone enjoy the moment even more.
When Andreas Schjelderup put Norway ahead against England, the dream suddenly felt real. After Jude Bellingham equalised, there was still belief. Then came the disallowed goal, the VAR controversy and, eventually, Bellingham's winner in extra time. On another day, it could easily have gone the other way.
After the final whistle, Boratyn's wife was in tears, as were many Norwegians around him. Not because they were disappointed with the team, but because they knew the party was over.
The aftermath
By Sunday morning, Oslo already felt different. The constant buzz that had filled the city over the last month had gone quiet. Most Norwegians were asleep instead of celebrating in the streets. The noise, excitement and feeling that an entire country was living the same dream had disappeared.
Despite the heartbreak, Boratyn remains hopeful. He believes this Norway team has made an entire nation believe again, and he is convinced this is only the beginning. While England deserved their place in the semi-finals, he wishes this remarkable Norwegian summer could have lasted just one game longer.
