Back home, Norway players saluted, receive audience with king

OSLO, Norway -- Tens of thousands of Norwegian fans gave their national soccer team a heroes' welcome on Monday at the foot of the Royal Palace.

Led by Crown Prince Haakon and most of the Norway squad, the Viking row chant rang out one last time for the World Cup quarterfinalists.

Norway, appearing at the World Cup for the first time in 28 years, made their deepest run ever at the event before losing 2-1 to England in extra time on Saturday.

The Norway team arrived back on home soil late, then had an audience with King Harald, 89, in the Royal Palace.

Meanwhile, thousands of red-clad fans waited patiently in the early-evening sun for a glimpse of the players. Erling Haaland shirts were by far the majority, saluting one of the tournament's biggest stars on and off the pitch. But plenty of other supporters wore the jerseys of Antonio Nusa and captain Martin Odegaard.

The crowd enthusiasm never dampened despite the event beginning more than 90 minutes late.

Enormous flags were unfurled at the top of the palace steps, and the crowd engaged in more than a half-hour of singing and chanting.

Roars erupted when the players finally emerged from the palace. Notable in their absence were Haaland and Sander Berge. Odegaard told Norway's NKR that the two had to leave after meeting the king following the team's delays due to their vacation plans.

The fans knelt or sat before belting and acting out the "Ro! Ro! Ro!" (pronounced "Roo! Roo! Roo!") chant that became a worldwide sensation due to the Norwegian players' playful connection with their fans.

--Rick Kaplan, Field Level Media