April Fool Soccer - Vålerenga vs Aalesund

I haven't blogged in 2 weeks, been a bit tired and planning for holidays around Europe.  Let's roll back the clock to 1st April.  On that fateful day we went to watch a soccer match at Ullevaal Stadion, the tickets cost about 150 NOK (26.38 AUD) each.  It was Vålerenga playing at home against Aalesund.  The match started at 7pm.  We barely made it to the match on time, because I had absent mindedly left my jacket at work and Adrian had to drive me to work to get it back (so, thanks Adrian I know you'll be reading this).  But anyway, it was a good match that Vålerenga won 2 - 0 with a goal scored on either side of half time.  We sat close to the goal posts.  Apparently according to wikipedia, Vålerenga has the best supporters in Norway as well as the best choir.  Well I can't disagree with the singing.  They love to sing, it's just too bad I can't understand most of it.  Here is one of the songs.

The stadium in all its glory.  A week ago Norway played Denmark in this same stadium, it was a 1 - 1 draw.

Vålerenga (in blue) scores and celebrates.  Woe to Aalesund.

Happy flag waving ensues.  We were also given pieces of paper to tear up and throw into the air.  At least that's what I think it was for. :)  We didn't do it the first time they scored but we did it when the second goal was scored.

A moment of promise that could have resulted in a goal.

Of course, I also had to take celebration picture with a random Vålerenga supporter.

YAAAY WE WONNN!!!!

Adrian celebrates with pissed off security guy in the background, he's just jealous that he supported the losing team.  Meanwhile, the soccer team pays tribute to the crowd in the background.

It's been a while since I last watched a live soccer match, so watching it live again brought back good memories.  Back when I was 14 I used to watch them quite often when Singapore was still playing in the Malaysian League.  I remember yelling till my throat was coarse. :)  Those were the days!