Ragnhild Lund Ansnes, the Norwegian owner of Hotel Tia in Anfield, has spoken of her deep connection to Liverpool as she returned to Oslo for Norway's World Cup match against England. In an exclusive interview with the ECHO, she described how the city has changed her life since she moved from Trondheim a decade ago.
A Whistle-Stop Visit for Football
Ansnes, a published author who co-wrote Bruce Grobbelaar's autobiography in 2018, traveled to Norway's capital with her husband Jostein and children Elias and Elvira to watch Saturday night's match on the big screen at a sold-out Ullevaal Stadium. She said she wanted her children to experience the passion of Norwegian football after growing up on Merseyside.
"My kids were 7 and 10 when we moved and I thought they need to see this no matter how it goes today. They need to see what football can do for you as a nation," she said. "We got up at 3am to go and it's cost a mini fortune. We are here for a good 30 hours or so."
From Talk Show Host to Pub Owner
Ansnes's love for Liverpool FC motivated her to leave her job as a national radio talk show host and move to Merseyside. She now runs events at Hotel Tia and has immersed herself in the local culture. She attributes her easy integration to the shared history between Norway and Liverpool, noting Viking DNA in place names like Kirkby (Church Town) and Ormskirk (Snake Church).
"Liverpool as a city and Liverpool as a team has changed my life. You have so much Viking DNA and so many Viking names," she said. "We've got so much in common in terms of personality too. It's quite similar in terms of how we look at life. The people are very hospitable. We can throw a few jokes, we’ve got a lot of self-irony. The more you joke about someone, the more you like them. I think Aussies, Scousers and especially the North Norwegians have a lot in common."
'Scousewegian' Identity
Her family has fully embraced their dual identity. "My kids feel just as Liverpudlian as they feel Norwegian. I think they’re both pretty much 'Scousewegians'," she said. "Even though my son could study for free in Norway, he decided to go to University of Liverpool so they are very connected to the city."
Ansnes watched Norway's round of 32 win over Ivory Coast in the national stadium and said it rivaled her experiences at Liverpool finals. "I’ve been to so many big finals as a Liverpool fan, which have been incredible. But watching that round of 32 game on the big screen in my own national stadium is up there. It was just electric."
Support from Liverpool
She has been moved by the support from Liverpool since Norway was drawn against England. "It's been quite moving to see this last week since England and Norway were drawn against each other, I've only had support for Norway. Every single person I've met. Whether it's a taxi driver, a lady at the till, a friend, a neighbour, they all want Norway to win," she said.
"In other parts of England if you come home after Norway's pinched a win and made sure it's 64 years of hurt, not just 60, you would be dreading coming back because everyone will just give you the evil eye. But in Liverpool, I think we will return as champions if we pull off this huge miracle tonight."
Predictions and Pride
Ansnes predicts a 2-2 draw decided on penalties, with goalkeeper Ørjan Nyland as Norway's hero. Regardless of the result, she is proud of how Norway's World Cup run has showcased the country. "We've already united the country in a way I've never seen anything like it. Can you imagine what this will do for little Norway? It's just been showing off Norway and what we've got to offer the world in such a funny, warm, cute, quirky kind of way."
