IT should have been the most sober of foreign trips ever undertaken by the Tartan Army – with beer priced at more than £10 per pint.
Norway has the reputation of one of the most expensive countries in the world so perhaps not the best place to stage a Euro 2024 qualifier against the Scots.
But Norway were the footsoldiers going to abstain, especially when the mercury was hitting 31C (88F) just before kick-off at the Ullevaal stadium in Oslo.
At the Scotsman Bar in the city centre, wily Scotland fans had managed to negotiate a 17 per cent discount on the cost of a pint of Freydenlund Pilsener, taking the price down from £9.19 to £7.58.
A fan, calling himself Acker Fae Orkney wrote on the Tartan Army Message Board: “I have been in touch with the Scotsman bar asking for a discount on beer as the prices are horrific!
“I said, seeing as the bar would be rammed with Tartan Army it would be nice to offer us some cheaper beer.
“So the reply said – Will offer a discount on Frydenlund Pilsner. Lad said tell the bartender we are TA ( be obvious enough I’d think ) and we will get a 17% discount, its better than nothing.
“Unfortunately there was no offer on Whisky -so it will be the duty free.”
A pint of Guinness is currently sitting at £8.28 (112Kr) and a half litre of lager around £6.50 (89Kr).
Fan David Shaw, from Lanarkshire, sampled the local produce with a bunch of friends yesterday in the centre of Oslo.
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He said: “In the tourist spots, you could pay as much as £10 or even £12 a pint but if you venture back, it’s between £7 and £9.
“Most of the guys agree that’s not too steep.”
Hamish Husband of the West of Scotland Tartan Army said: “Norway has the reputation of being one of the most expensive countries in the world.
“But I have been watching with interest as the Krone has been falling in value against Sterling.”
Various groups of supporters posted pictures of themselves on Facebook yesterday, resplendent in kilts and many wearing the white Scotland top on account of the weather.
The Ullevaal Stadium was believed to be hovering around 31C (87F) when the game kicked off at 5pm UK time.
Fans have been gathering at the Bohemen Sports Bar in the centre of Oslo.
Boss Bengt Calmeyier said: “I have seen Scotland fans many times in the 24 years I have been behind the bar here.
“There is never any trouble and you always find them very good-natured and polite to the staff.
“I remember one year they played here. I opened the doors and for the next five days, my pub was occupied by the Tartan Army. They are fantastic.
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“Maybe they have trouble understanding Norwegian licensing laws some times. But they are never nasty.”
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
