Oh the perils of being an expat football fan. When your team makes a Wembley final, do you go, or not? Like there was ever any doubt! Being a Northampton Town fan, you soon learn to savour the big occasions, as they don’t come along that often. In the club’s 116-year history this was just [...]
To Ski or To Snowboard?
Growing up, I had just three influences in the world of winter sports. And what influences they were! 1. Eddie the Eagle Edwards, arguably the most famous British winter sportsman! Famous yes, but not for winning gold medals. He was famous for being CRAP! 2. Cool Runnings. An awesome film about (essentially) crap bobsledders. Sensing [...]
The Lesser-Spotted Roller Skier
Living up in the hills of Holmenkollen, I am treated to a vast array of wildlife: birds, squirrels, spiders, slugs; the list is endless! But one species you may not be familiar with is the lesser-spotted roller skier. In winter they are known as the “cross-country skier” and are seen in great numbers on trails all [...]
The Norwegian Match-Fixing Scandal
Despite the obsession with English football, the Norwegian game seems to better resemble the Italian Serie A just lately. A match-fixing scandal? In Norway? Yes, really. The tale of Swedish mafia, Kosovan gangs, money laundering and a lower-league team called Follo has shocked Norwegian sport over the last few weeks. Several players from second division [...]
Exploring Oslo’s Great Outdoors
Since moving from the city centre to the hills of Oslo, I’ve spent a lot of time exploring the area, despite the distraction of Euro 2012! The Holmenkollen-Frognerseteren area is the gateway to Nordmarka (the northern forest), a vast expanse of “the great outdoors” which makes up the northern part of Oslo. The Holmenkollen ski [...]
Usain Bolt Wins at the Bislett Games
Usain Bolt blew away the competition in Oslo on Thursday night to take the 100m title at the Bislett Games. Half-way through the race it looked as if his countryman and main rival for Olympic Gold, Asafa Powell, would take the victory. But Bolt clicked up a gear and accelerated past Powell with breathless ease. [...]
Pubs of Oslo – Bohemen
I’m delighted to introduce yet another guest blogger here on Life in Norway, Chris Rock. Chris actually lives in the UK but has spent a lot of time in my new home of Oslo. He’ll be writing primarily about Oslo, starting with a place I’ve become rather fond of recently, Bohemen. Welcome to the team, [...]
The Norwegian El Clásico – LSK vs VIF
This weekend saw the biggest local rivalry in Norwegian football, the Oslo-Akershus derby between Lillestrøm (LSK) and Vålerenga (VIF). Lillestrøm are known by many outside Norway due to their regular appearances in Europe during the 80s and 90s, whereas Vålerenga are the biggest club in the Oslo area; in fact they are now the only [...]
My First Ice Hockey Experience
Like in much of Europe, most Norwegian football teams are part of a wider sports club. The Vålerenga IF sports club consists primarily of football, handball and ice hockey, alongside other sports such as basketball and even American Football. Soon after my arrival in Oslo I was given the Vålerenga injection to ensure my blood [...]
Heads Up! Tippeligaen is Back
It was very easy to miss, but the new Norwegian Premier League season got underway tonight. Easy to miss, because most Norwegian eyes are focused on Manchester and the battle for the English title. The Norwegian obsession with English football continues to fascinate me, but even more quirky is the small group of bloggers and [...]
