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Norway may have bowed out after the quarter-final match against England, but the rowing won’t ever die down, partly helped by Haaland’s presence, features and personality, both during the match and after the match. For the first time ever, Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) agreed to have a halftime show, during which performances by artists in the music industry would add to the atmosphere and spirit of the football game.  Some performances included a special twist, even with a window of less than 15 minutes. And with many missing the energy given off by Norway, the Scandinavian country was rightfully given its space once again – a montage of Haaland beating the drum, eliciting the “Ro” response (and the rowing motion) was shown onscreen at the stadium in New Jersey, New York (the match venue), while those live performers (including the Muppets) at the final halftime in-person show gladly followed the cue, rowed along and gave the audience something unforgettable and worth talking about in years to come. The transition from the “Ro” to BTS’ Dynamite was well-thought out and natural, making it an even more remarkable half-time few minutes worth of culture, music, and sports as we’re not only witnessing Norway’s shining moment, but also South Korea, as the manufacturer of K-Pop, famous for their unconventional, synchronised moves and large number of group members for both girlgroups and boygroups.

On another note, Spain’s fans celebrated the win by doing the row.  The latest available video, as posted on Instagram, showed fans in Madrid performing the row with a certain level of excitement and enthusiasm, especially because the team bravely soared past the 2022 champion, Argentina, in a strange, but wild and dramatic 126-minute match.

However, in another match (prior to the finals), Spanish fans were also seen celebrating with the row. I think it’s because they know that nothing else can compare to the fun, playful nature and infectiousness of the Viking Row.

Spain is now champion for the second time. The last time the Spanish players took home the trophy was in 2010.

The final match saw the Argentina-Spain meet, as England and France battled for the third and fourth placing.

Argentina was expected to give their rivals, Spain, more than a scare. Unfortunately, no miracle happened for the Argentinians. Instead, Spain’s clearheadedness, consistency in speed, and reduced engagement in drama helped Spain secure the stunning and deserving win.

It’s therefore unsurprising if you’re still rowing. The important thing is to acknowledge that you learnt in from Norway, who was inspired by Iceland and Scotland.

The “Ro” is a variation of Iceland’s thunderclap, which was inspired by the chants of Scottish football fans.

The halftime show, in terms of design, artists, and music, was curated by Chris Martin, the frontman of Coldplay, the English rock outfit. Directed by television director Hamish Hamilton, the show was produced by advocacy organisations in a tie-up with Global Citizen, an Australian non-profit. It was also spearheaded by Guy Carrington from Done +Dusted.