Norway’s History-Making Hockey Team Welcomed Home with Deafening Cheers by Soccer Fans

The Norway men’s ice hockey national team won bronze medal at the IIHF World Championships held in Zurich and Fribourg.

Norway’s History-Making Hockey Team Welcomed Home with Deafening Cheers by Soccer Fans

Norwegian Men’s Ice Hockey Team posing with their bronze medals after defeating Canada (Image via Norges Ishokeyforbund)

The Isbjørnene scripted history at the IIHF Men’s World Championship 2026, securing the bronze medal by defeating ice hockey powerhouses Canada in a thrilling overtime battle. The medal also marked their first medal of any color for the Norwegian men since they first participated in 1937.

The Norwegians weren’t considered a potential medal contender before the tournament, as they didn’t even make the Winter Olympics mix two months ago. The unexpected sweet surprise has the nation coming together in celebrating their biggest athletes at the time being. The team was welcomed with deafening cheers during the Norway-Sweden friendly soccer match held at the Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo.

The players celebrated their historic medal with the fans as voices soared several decibels and huge flags of Norway waved in and out.

The Norwegians defeated the Swedes 3-1 in the match held as a preparation for the FIFA World Cup 2026. Jørgen Strand Larsen had a brace, and Antonio Nusa netted once for the hosts, while Alexander Isak scored the sole goal for Sweden.

With this victory, the Norwegian squad heads to North America for their first World Cup appearance in 28 years. They carry incredible national momentum, fueled by the ultimate pre-tournament boost: a historic, inspiring World Cup bronze won by their ice hockey compatriots just days before kickoff.

It has been a season to remember for the Isbjørnene (The Polar Bears). After a trailblazing group stage with five wins, Norway qualified for the quarterfinals in more than a decade. In the quarterfinals, they demolished Latvia before being thrashed mercilessly by the hosts, Switzerland, 6-0.

In the bronze medal match, they faced one of the strongest rosters in the tournament. The Norwegians went up 2-0, thanks to goals from Emilio Pettersen (6′) and Stian Solberg (32′). Henrik Haukeland kept the net safe despite the Canadians’ repeated attempts to score. Eventually, Robert Thomas netted twice in the garbage minutes to force overtime.

Three minutes into overtime, Tampa Bay Lightning prospect Noah Steen came with the puck on the left side, smoothed into the danger zone, and slapped a clear shot past Jet Greaves. Steen sealed a victory for the underdogs while officially putting Canada out of any medals for the third time in a row.

Needless to say, he set the stage for an unforgettable night with the Polar Bears, passionately belting out Jahn Teigen’s classic anthem “Optimist” in the locker room before partying until dawn. Afterward, Steen admitted the festivities were far from over: “There will probably be a couple of late nights in Norway too to celebrate a bit. I am just so incredibly proud.“

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Petter Stordalen played a huge role in Norway Ice Hockey team’s celebratory appearance at the Ullevaal Stadium

The team’s mesmerizing appearance would not have happened if not for the billionaire and the owner of the Strawberry Group, Petter Stordalen. Stordalen, who’s known for his philanthropic activities, stepped in when he came to learn that the team could not make it in time to be present at the Ullevaal Stadium during the match because of the unavailability of flights.

Petter Stordalen and former Norwegian ice hockey player Erik Follestad in front of the Sunclass Airline that flew the Norwegian team back to Oslo (Image via TV2)
Petter Stordalen and former Norwegian ice hockey player Erik Follestad in front of the Sunclass Airline that flew the Norwegian team back to Oslo (Image via TV2)

After coming to know about Norwegian head coach Patrick Thoresen‘s post on X about the same, Stordalen stepped in, arranging a private charter plane to carry the men to the stadium for the event.

When I read in VG that they wouldn’t make it in time for the tribute and received an inquiry, I thought: this is something we simply have to try to solve. I set the entire Ving and Sunclass teams in motion and told them we needed half an hour to see if we could pull it off. I said the goal is ‘everyone is getting home to Ullevaal.

Petter Stordalen told VG

In addition to sponsoring the charter, Stordalen personally served as the flight’s cabin crew. He greeted each player with congratulations and hugs, led the pre-flight safety briefing, and served refreshments to the triumphant team throughout the flight.

Earlier, Norwegian player Michael Brandsegg-Nygård admitted that he hoped that an event would be conducted grandiosely in Norway. Brandsegg-Nygård told VG after their success that it would be good to celebrate with people from his home country, as there weren’t a lot of fans who traveled down to watch them play in Zurich.

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