Ending a 34-year Norwegian title drought last year set the stage for Viking FK to dream of nights like their upcoming Champions League visit to Aston Villa. That match follows a thrilling 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich, where the Norwegian side surrendered a 2-0 half-time lead before securing a point with a late goal.
Following the Bayern Munich fixture, Viking captain Zlatko Tripic told Norwegian channel TV2 that he could have played another 90 minutes and felt incredibly proud after waiting 34 years for the moment.
Tripic arrived at the Stavanger club in 2018 when they played in the second tier. Behind the team’s revival are joint head coaches Morten Jensen and Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim, former assistants who stepped up together in 2021.
Speaking to the BBC’s Euro Leagues show, Aarsheim described the partnership as a special story rooted in their lifelong support and playing careers for the club.
He added that managing Viking together felt like the dream job. In an interview with the Guardian, Aarsheim explained that they view Viking as the best team in the world.
Jensen noted that daring to go against the grain allows people to achieve great things rather than becoming a poor replica of others.
Appearing in a European group stage for the first time since the 2005-06 UEFA Cup, Aarsheim admitted the leap straight into the top tier felt unreal.
Jensen described their fixture list—including matches against Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, Napoli, and Bayern Munich—as a full buffet, noting that many Norwegians share a deep fascination with English football.
Securing the Historic Title
Viking sealed their first league championship since 1991 on the final day of last season by defeating Valerenga 5-1 to edge out Bodo/Glimt by a single point. Podcaster and fan Lars Risan told BBC Radio 5 Live that the achievement brought the entire city together for a rare celebration.
Viking currently leads the league table again this season by three points, though they have played one match more than Bodo/Glimt.
Historically one of Norway’s most successful clubs with nine league titles, Viking endured a difficult period that included relegation in 2017 under English manager Ian Burchnall.
Risan recalled that financial mismanagement and poor player recruitment caused the drop, but it ultimately forced the club to return to its roots by investing in the youth academy and local talent without relying on wealthy backers.
Bjarne Berntsen returned as head coach for the 2018 second-tier campaign, assisted by Aarsheim and Jensen, and immediately guided the team back to the top flight.
After Berntsen departed in 2020, his two assistants took charge, eventually securing third-place finishes before capturing the title with seven consecutive victories.
The Captain Who Led the Rise
Tripic proved vital to the club’s resurgence after joining immediately following their 2018 relegation from Moldovan side Sheriff Tiraspol.
Risan stated that signing a player of Tripic’s caliber was a major surprise at the time, but the winger wanted to help restore a fallen giant.
After a brief stint in Turkey with Goztepe, Tripic returned and became the first Viking player to reach double figures in both goals and assists across three consecutive seasons.
Tripic delivered another standout performance against Bayern Munich by providing two assists, including the game-saving equalizer, as Viking prepares for Wednesday’s encounter at Villa Park.
Source: BBC Sport
