The Norwegian teacher who created the Viking clap has a warning: "If there's ever a moment to beat Brazil, it's now"
Ole Frøystad, the Norwegian teacher behind the viral Viking clap, offered advice to Brazilian fans — and made clear he believes Norway can beat Brazil.
There is a primary-school teacher in Oslo who may be the biggest threat to Brazil's sixth World Cup title this Sunday. Ole Frøystad, the man behind the Viking clap that took the tournament by storm, made no secret of what he thinks about Norway's round-of-16 clash with Brazil in New Jersey: "If there's ever a moment to beat Brazil, it's now," he told ge. "The fans and the team are very much in sync at this moment."
Frøystad became a global celebrity without trying. The choreography he brought to the Norwegian supporters' section — inspired by a Rosenborg chant in which fans split the club's name into three syllables — has since spread to stadiums, Boston escalators, parliaments, and even suit-and-tie plenary sessions in Oslo. He has gained more than 60,000 followers since the tournament began and postponed his return to Norway to enjoy the party in person.
And he didn't come just to taunt. The teacher also had a message for the green-and-yellow fans set to pack the stands: "Do something that is Brazilian, something you are all proud of," he advised. "Keep it simple, make it easy, and make sure as many people as possible can have fun and join in."
On the other side of the pitch, Erling Haaland arrives as the tournament's joint top scorer with five goals — and as a viral phenomenon who has already won over Luísa Sonza, Sheila Mello, and even Vini Jr. on social media. Norway are back in a World Cup knockout round for the first time in 28 years, since that victory over Brazil in 1998 that still stings.
The Golmetria model gives Brazil a 62% chance of advancing to the quarter-finals — but the Viking clap doesn't read spreadsheets. Kick-off is at 17h (Brasília time). It will be war in the stands before the ball even rolls.