Norwegian commentator dismisses World Cup fever as misplaced

As Norway celebrates its World Cup victory over Iraq, social commentator Sanna Sarromaa has sharply criticised the national obsession with football, Dagbladet reports.

“In Norway, we always cheer for the dumbest,” Sarromaa told the newspaper, arguing that the country misplaces its admiration by idolising well-paid athletes instead of recognising academic achievement.

She described football as “mind-numbing” and expressed particular disdain for adult men whose moods are dictated by match results. “At a former workplace, I had colleagues who would get angry or sad if their favourite English team lost. Grown men,” she said.

Sarromaa, a Finnish historian, sociologist, and feminist, also revealed her surprise when her Norwegian husband announced he would watch all of Norway’s World Cup matches. “I was very taken aback. I didn’t know he was the kind of man who watches football. Now the truth has come out, and it’s not pretty,” she said.

Despite her criticism, she acknowledged the joy of national success, citing her own happiness when Finland won the ice hockey World Championship. However, she maintained that the focus on football overshadows pressing issues, such as Norway’s struggling education system, which she argued fails to teach basic literacy.