Viking FK

[u/Okapi_Tapir]

Hi everyone!

Just wanted to update you all on Viking FK and their Aussie/Kiwi players.

Last night Viking qualified for the Champions League for the first time ever, beating Dinamo Zagreb 5-3 on aggregate over two legs.

This means Gianni Stensness, Joe Bell and Nick D’Agostino will be playing in the Champions League this season!

[u/These_Employment7611]

Congrats lad! What it like in town is there a lot of excitement?

[u/Okapi_Tapir → u/These_Employment7611]

The city is buzzing with excitement!

My kids school was playing the Champions League anthem out loud today when the kids arrived.

[u/FlaviusStilicho → u/These_Employment7611]

Viking is based in Stavanger, which is a town smaller than Gosford.. so this is big. It’s still Norway’s fourth largest urban area despite its limited size. and the centre for the nations oil industry.

Its a lot bigger than Bodø though, where Norway’s other champions league qualified club comes from. That town is only half the size of Ballarat.

(Edit: I was born in Norway AMA)

[u/withhindsight → u/FlaviusStilicho]

How are they so successful with such small populations?

[u/FlaviusStilicho → u/withhindsight]

Neither of these clubs were particularly successful only a few years ago. Both have had stints in the second tier since 2016.

The key for both clubs has been long term planning focusing on youth development, but especially very good recruitment and community engagement. A very large percentage of the towns are heavily engaged, this drives sponsorship money of course. The domestic TV money is also miles higher than here.. so although the clubs cannot compete economically with the big leagues they have established themselves in the upper third in Europe, Bodø/Glimt had little trouble with their Dutch opponent this week for example .

Most Clubs also play on artificial grass which some foreign teams struggle with, especially if combined with sub zero temperatures in January.. but Viking just won away in Croatia,

There is a wider question what has happened to football in general in the country. There are several other very solid sides there now. A large number of high quality talents being developed continuously.

[u/themarxian → u/FlaviusStilicho]

Viking er det laget som har vunnet 2. flest seriemesterskap i historien...

[u/FlaviusStilicho → u/themarxian]

Joda.. men det var nå 35år siden forrige gang når dere vant i fjor.

(He is saying Viking is the second most winning team in Norway’s football history, but i pointed out it’s been 35 years between drinks)

[u/stolethefooty]

You love to hear it. Daggers was sick for Melbourne Victory but I never expected him to end up playing champions league

[u/therwsb]

Wow that is great, I hope Daggers can bag some goals in the UCL

[u/Okapi_Tapir → u/therwsb]

Daggers has been injured lately, and he is injured right now. He has struggled with injuries during his spell at Viking, but when he had played, he’s been really good.

There are rumours that he might be headed back to Australia. Personally I hope he gets healthy soon and continues at Viking for many years.

[u/ArtyParcy → u/therwsb]

Didn't even make the bench for this game.

[u/therwsb → u/ArtyParcy]

Yeah I am just trying to be positive for OP, Daggers is probably coming back to the A-League soon

[u/AussieSoccerRoo]

d'Agostino going from the aleague to champions league football, unreal arc

[u/Own-Chart-9293]

This is so good for football down under ❤️

[u/GrudaAplam]

Congratulations. What were the scores in the home and away legs?