As pubs across England fill with white shirts this Saturday, one red-clad stronghold in London will be rooting for the Three Lions' downfall. Norway's expats are set to cheer on their national team against England at The Kenton, a small pub in Hackney, east London, which they have dubbed their 'fortress'.
Norwegian fortress in Hackney
The Kenton was the scene of wild celebrations last week when Norway shocked Brazil 2-1 to advance to the World Cup quarter-finals. Owner Egil Johansen, an expat who came to the UK 25 years ago, is gearing up for another boisterous affair as punters cheer for an England defeat. The pub has already made headlines for Johansen's decision to ban children, but its roaring support for Norway's football team has earned fresh attention, including from Norway's national broadcaster.
Decked in red and white flags, around 200 expats crammed in last Sunday to watch Norway defeat Brazil. 'It was unbelievable. It was absolutely pumping,' Johansen said. 'When Norway scored first, it literally erupted. You can imagine the scenes.' The crowd even engaged in rowing, a Viking-era tradition that has spread among supporters worldwide.
Friendly atmosphere despite rivalry
Johansen emphasized that the Norway faithful at The Kenton are far from hostile. 'One Brazilian guy arrived with a Brazil shirt and a drum. We got to borrow his drum and we cheered him on,' he said. The owner, who took over the pub in 2009, has spruced up the traditional Victorian building with Norwegian memorabilia, including a massive moose head on the wall that his grandfather shot in the 1970s.
Norwegians in London number only in the thousands, but they have flocked to The Kenton as their screening venue of choice. 'We have made it a Norwegian fortress for the football,' Johansen said. 'We have had people coming from Peckham, Kensington, north London, and a couple of people from Surrey.' With England games, the pub gets English fans, including regulars and locals, but has not reached capacity for those matches. That looks set to change now that England and Norway square off.
Confidence in Haaland and the team
'There will be loads of people coming to us to watch the match. I think it will be magical,' Johansen said. 'On Saturday I just wish we had twice the size of the pub, the main challenge will be fitting everyone in.' Despite the potential for rowdy scenes, The Kenton is confident any England fans who come will fit into the friendly atmosphere. 'It will obviously get heated, when the game starts, because we all want to win,' Johansen said. 'I do hope it will be very civil, regardless of who wins. We do not want any sort of trouble.'
Johansen recalled the 2014 World Cup final between Germany and Argentina, which saw more than 100 Argentinians watching alongside a handful of Germans. Even though Germany won in extra time, both sides remained polite, and the Argentinians left 'quietly and peacefully'. The red-and-blue crowd at The Kenton this Saturday, donning Viking horns, will be confident their side can upset the Three Lions. Their hopes rest on Erling Haaland, the Manchester City striker who is a national hero back home. 'He is massive in Norway, everyone loves him. He is very humble,' Johansen said. 'I definitely think we can win the match. I think it will be a really even game.'
Dilemma of loyalty for expats
Like Haaland, many Norwegians have a close affinity to English football. In Norway, English top-flight football has been shown on TV since the 1960s. For expats like Johansen, a Tottenham supporter, there will be a conflict of loyalty. 'I feel very British. I have been living in this country for 25 years, I have a wife from Manchester,' he said. 'I have always supported England in tournaments. There will be a little bit of a dilemma now. Win or lose, I will support England if they win. Norway and England have a strong bond.'
Whatever the outcome on Saturday, Norwegian fans at The Kenton can celebrate history. Before this World Cup, Norway only made it to three World Cups and never reached the quarter-finals. Whether they make the semifinals remains to be seen.
