The Tartan Army have been partying with Norway fans in Boston as both sets of fans celebrate a first World Cup in 28 years. The last time the Scandinavians qualified for a major tournament was also back in 1998 – and we have been marking the momentous occasion by drinking beers together in the city centre bars.
The Nordic supporters descended on Boston on Monday, and soon enough they were sharing chants – with fans even cheering ‘No Scotland, No party’ before their World Cup adventure kicked off against Iraq at the Gillette Stadium. William Murray, 56, a retired police officer from Muirhead, was sat outside the Hennessey’s Irish Bar on Union Street.
William said: “The atmosphere has been absolutely buzzing. All the fans are getting on with each other. Last night when we were out at the pub the Norway fans were starting up the ‘No Scotland, No Party’ chant and we all joined in with them, it was absolutely superb.
“We’ve been trying to learn their songs too – we’re struggling a bit with that with the language, but it’s been good fun!” William was joined by his two pals Alan Newberry, a 55-year-old electrician from Stepps, and Colin Forsyth, a 56-year-old mortgage advisor who is originally from Moodiesburn but now lives in Llanymynech in Wales.
Alan said: “We’ve had a great trip. This is a great city to be in and the Norway fans have been fantastic. We will be watching the match tonight and supporting them. I think they will get a 2-0 win.”
View 6 ImagesNorwegians Øyvind Husdal and Vegard Sandaa pictured with Scots Alan Newberry and William Murray.(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Soon enough, the trio were drinking beers with Norway fans Øyuibnd Husdal, a 25-year-old economics student from Bergen, and Vegard Sandaa, a mechanical engineer student, 23, from Oslo. Øyuibnd said: “It’s a good vibe. I think we get along well because both countries are underdogs.
“Scotland had a really tough qualifying campaign too but managed to come through which is brilliant. The Scots are really nice to be around. They bring a really good mood to the tournament.”
Vegard said: “It feels great. It’s an unbelievable experience. The Scotland fans aren’t even playing today but they are all out celebrating. It’s a really cool experience.”
In the city centre on Tuesday morning Norway fans watched on and clapped to the sound of bagpipes. ‘Bagpipe Bros’ Noah Dickson, 14, Lleyton Hyndman, 13, and Luca Dickson, 12, were busking outside the Bostonian Society Museum.
Norway fans stopped to watch before handing over cash to the talented trio. Brage Ulvstad, 24, from Trondheim, was watching with his dad Tore, 63.
View 6 ImagesBrage Ulvstad and Tore Ulvstad pictued with The Bagpipe Bros(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Brage said: “We’ve been loving the Scotland fans. The kilts are amazing, we are not used to this in Norway. You can really spot their fans from a mile away! It’s really cool.”
Tore added: “We all get along so well. We really like the Scottish. It has been great fun.
“Just like Scotland we have waited too long to qualify for a World Cup. We are going to the game tonight and we just can’t wait for it.”
Anders Gulowsen, 44, from Bergen, was enjoying the pipes with his boy Knut Anders Eide Gulowsen, 10. Little Knut handed over a note to the pipers and his pair are heading off to the Iraq match this evening.
View 6 ImagesAnders Gulowsen and son Knut Anders Eide(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Anders has been enjoying chatting to Scots in the city – and our fans have already warned them to expect queuing outside the stadium, after it took many of the Tartan Army over three hours to get home. Anders said: “We arrived in Boston yesterday and even before we arrived here we watching all the videos of the Scots partying here, so it’s so amazing to be here with them all now.
“We’re looking forward to the game tonight – although the Scottish fans have warned us to expect some queuing! My son has been spoilt, in his first game he saw Erling Haaland score a hat-trick, and his next match will be at a World Cup! It’s going to be amazing.”
View 6 ImagesMary Bogetueit and young Isla Stasney(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
Mary Bogetveit, 64, was standing nearby waving a Norway flag to the sound of pipes with her granddaughter Isla Stasney, eight. Mary, who is from Colorado but married a man from Bergen, said: “The atmosphere has been heavenly.
“There’s so many Norweigans and Scots here. Everyone has been getting along so well. There’s been lovely Iraq fans too. Everyone is here for the World Cup. It’s amazing.”
Grandad of ‘The Bagpipe Bros’ Sandy Dickson, a 65-year-old retired IT manager from Irvine, was watching on proudly as the boys music brought the supporters together. Sandy said: “It’s been an amazing trip making memories with my grandsons. Boston is a fantastic city.
View 6 ImagesProud grandad Sandy Dickson with The Bagpipe Bros in the background(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
“The boys were nervous at the beginning but they are absolutely loving it now. They are lapping it up. The Norway fans have been loving the pipes too, and the Iraq supporters too.
“Everyone has been great. They’ve all been stopping for pictures and enjoying the music. It’s just been great. The boys will remember this forever.”
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