Norwegian club Viking has captured the attention of European football after securing a memorable draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League. Chief executive Eirik Bjorno and sporting director Erik Nevland spoke to Sky Sports about the remarkable journey from the second tier of Norwegian football to competing on the biggest stage.
A Historic Night Against Bayern Munich
For Eirik Bjorno, the opening goal against Bayern Munich was the defining moment. He told Sky Sports that teams prepare for wave after wave of pressure and perhaps a counter-attack, making it surreal to score from the club’s very first corner. Sporting director Erik Nevland admitted that the second goal was something they had never dreamed of, calling it a night for the history books.
A third goal secured the result after Bayern overturned the deficit, capitalizing on a red card shown to Michael Olise following an incident with Viking captain Zlatko Tripic. Max Eberl of the Bayern board criticized Tripic afterward, but Nevland responded with a laugh, telling Sky Sports that the player is their scumbag and they love him. Bjorno noted that the most important lesson from the match was that the team can actually compete and cope with the tempo.
From the Second Tier to the Champions League
Nevland, a former Norway international who played for Manchester United and Fulham, has a deep-rooted connection to his hometown club, having watched his mother work for them and played there across four different stints. He stated that he has dreamed of this since he was five years old and called it the proudest time of his life.
That pride stems from a dramatic turnaround, as Bjorno recalled hitting rock bottom eight years ago in the second tier when Viking suffered a 5-0 defeat against Nest-Sotra in June 2018 in front of just 274 spectators. Nevland admitted that the club realized they were bad and that changes were needed. After narrowly winning promotion back up, Viking steadily progressed and clinched the league title for the first time in 34 years in 2025.
A Unique Approach and Sustainable Future
Nevland attributes the club’s rise to a hyper-local strategy utilizing their academy, homegrown players, and passionate leadership figures who care deeply about the town. Viking also broke convention by appointing joint-coaches, with Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen sharing the role. Bjorno explained that the club simply asked themselves what decision would be best rather than following convention, while Nevland acknowledged it was a bold gamble that ultimately worked.
Domestically, Viking is battling Bodo/Glimt to retain the Norwegian title, sitting level on points with seven games remaining. Nevland noted that the financial boost from the Champions League provides a solid foundation, security, and freedom to sign different players. Bjorno added that the increased resources will be invested into facilities, training grounds, and the stadium to ensure the club remains strong for the next century.
Reflecting on the club’s tumultuous past, Bjorno emphasized that they view football as a rollercoaster and are eager to enjoy the rest of the journey. With upcoming fixtures against Aston Villa, Atletico Madrid, and Napoli, Viking’s European adventure is set to continue.
Source: SkySports | News
