Imagine this: You live in the north of Norway, inside the Artic Circle. Land of the Northern Lights, midnight sun in summertime, but at the start of the year it is dark all day!
Astrid (Wife): Ole, it is your 50th birthday this year, what do you want to do to celebrate?
Ole (Husband): I want to see Cambridge United.
Astrid: Really?
Ole: Yes, it is a few years since I saw them beat the Pish at the Abbey.
Astrid: That is the best thing you can think of?
Ole: We could see a match at Wembley too.
Astrid: Really?
Ole: And maybe a Women’s European cup match.
Astrid: Really?
Ole: You can do some shopping in London
Astrid: OK. But what are we going to do about the kids?
Ole: Take them with us.
Astrid: All of them?
Ole: Yep. It is my birthday.
And that is (possibly) how it came to pass that 13 Norwegians were at the Abbey for the Swindon match. On Tuesday they saw England v Japan at Wembley, Wednesday was Stamford Bridge for Chelsea v Arsenal women, Thursday was supposed to be sightseeing before travelling to Cambridge for the Friday afternoon game against Swindon. When the fixture changed date there was a bit of re-organising, so Friday is the Cambridge sightseeing before travelling home to Norway on Saturday.
Ole is one of the Darlerites, the story of how they became fans of CUFC can be found here: https://www.cambridgefansunited.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Norwegians-for-CFU-website.pdf
He has also planted a U’s flag on a Norwegian mountain: https://www.cambridgefansunited.org/cufc-fans-climb-a-norwegian-mountain/
Who were the 13? Ole Olsen, his wife Astrid Olsen, Selma Olsen (8yrs Daughter), Tiril Kristiansen (11yrs Daughter), Linus Kristiansen (14yrs Son), Noah Olsen (15 yrs Son), Emma Kristiansen, Gabriel Wikbo (Emma’s boyfriend), Jonas Olsen, Siri Fagerli (Jonas’ girlfriend), Dina Olsen, Liam Eriksen (Dina’s boyfriend) and Lukas Olsen (3yrs Dina’s son).
When Ole last visited he gave me a scarf of their local team, Lyngen Karnes. I wore it so they could see me. Incidentally the Pie Guyz saw it and knew where it was from!
I had suggested meeting at the Abbey at 5:30pm. They were hoping to catch a bus from the city centre, but instead had to get 3 taxis, and the Cambridge rush hour traffic meant they didn’t arrive together. As soon as everyone was there we headed to the Supporters Club where Peter Day was on hand to show them the pop up museum. Dave Mathew-Jones then did a brief ground tour (the fixture change and TV cameras everywhere meant it had to be short and sweet), and the first photo opportunities.
Back out of the ground and there was Marvin. Norway has plenty of moose, but none quite like Marvin! Little Lukas was not scared.
Next came a visit to the club shop for new shirts, scarves and hats before going through the turnstiles and round to the Main Stand fan zone for food and drink, and a chance for Ole to sample Brewboard beer, which seemed to meet his approval
Next to their seats in Block D. If you happened to be seated near them I hope you didn’t pick up any Norwegian swear words when Swindon scored.
At half time Mike Barnes gave them all a shout out as their banners were on the scoreboard.
After the match Dave MJ escorted them all onto the pitch to allow photos of their scoreboard banners, in the dug out, and with the South Stand backdrop.
Then came the highlight when Ian Darler and Carl Badcock came to say hello.
Lastly a group photo with me!
The last thing was to find a bus to get them back to their hotel.
The weather was nice, the game was great, the 1-1 scoreline was not what the play deserved, but everyone had a good time. Don’t leave it so long before visiting again.
Terry.