The party atmosphere is back in Boston as the Tartan Army link up with Norway supporters ahead of Scotland’s crunch World Cup clash with Morocco. The Norwegians are also celebrating a return to football’s biggest stage for the first time since 1998, so it feels fitting that our paths have crossed in the same city.
After Scotland dominated the streets during the opening days of the tournament, thousands of passionate Nordic fans have now arrived and brought plenty of noise of their own. Like us, they’ve waited 28 years for this moment, and they’re making the most of it.
New friendships have been forged over beers and football stories, with many members of the Tartan Army planning to cheer Norway on against Iraq tonight. There are hundreds of Iraqi supporters in town too, and plenty stopped for photos with kilted Scots, intrigued by the sight of tartan and the sound of bagpipes echoing through the city centre.
View 3 ImagesNorwegians Øyvind Husdal and Vegard Sandaa pictured with Scots Alan Newberry and William Murray(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
One of the best parts of the World Cup is seeing supporters from every corner of the globe mixing so easily, and Boston has provided plenty of examples of that over the past 24 hours. Meanwhile, the weather has finally relented.
After an intense heatwave greeted us on arrival, temperatures have dropped to a far more manageable 25C. The cooler conditions have been welcomed by everyone as the attention begins to turn towards Friday’s showdown with Morocco.
View 3 ImagesNorwegians Øyvind Husdal and Vegard Sandaa pictured with Scots Alan Newberry and William Murray.(Image: Tony Nicoletti/Daily Record)
You can sense the mood changing. The songs are still being sung and the bars are still packed, but the nerves are starting to creep in.
And who can blame them? A single point would be enough to secure qualification from the group – something we have never achieved at a major tournament.
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There is a growing feeling among the Tartan Army that history could be just around the corner.
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