Solbakken Recounts 'Strong Moment' with King Harald

National football coach Ståle Solbakken has shared poignant reflections on his last encounter with the late King Harald of Norway, describing it as a "strong moment" that will be remembered. The King, widely revered as the "King of Sports," had a long-standing connection with athletics, attending his first football match over 80 years ago.

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It was a strong moment. I saw he was affected. We had received wonderful greetings and great support throughout the championship. From his side, it was both an acknowledgment, a comfort, and praise.

Solbakken recounted how the King was visibly moved during the national team's visit to the Royal Palace after the World Cup. "I saw he was affected," Solbakken told VG. "We had received wonderful greetings and great support throughout the championship. From his side, it was both an acknowledgment, a comfort, and praise." Solbakken offered a comforting pat on the King's shoulder, acknowledging the emotional weight of the occasion.

The coach remembered King Harald not just as a monarch but as a deeply engaged figure in Norwegian sports. "He was the people's king. For us, he was the king of sports," Solbakken stated. He recalled numerous meetings over the years where the King demonstrated remarkable interest and up-to-date knowledge, speaking with genuine enthusiasm about various sporting events.

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He was the people's king. For us, he was the king of sports. I have been fortunate to meet him a number of times in recent years in connection with sports. Then he has always been very interested and, not least, very up-to-date. He had great insight and spoke with great enthusiasm.

Solbakken also touched upon the national mood, noting the shift from the "joyful euphoria" of the World Cup to the current "country in mourning." He believes this shared experience, both in celebration and sorrow, draws Norwegians to the Royal Palace as a symbol of national unity and strength. The King, he added, exemplified both vulnerability and extreme strength during challenging and positive times.

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Yes, there is. I don't think it's a coincidence in any way that one is drawn to the Palace in both pleasant and sad circumstances. He was so important as both a people's king and a king of sports. Then it might be that one celebrates in front of what is the strongest symbol in all of Norway, the Palace.

Recalling a humorous anecdote from 2024, Solbakken shared how the King, during a dinner for Denmark's new King and Queen, playfully urged him to "hold out for the last quarter" of the match, highlighting the King's enduring passion and humor even in his later years. "It shows that he was a man who had insight and, not least, humor," Solbakken concluded.

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Yes. In the times we live in now, the King has shown both vulnerability and extreme strength. Both when heavy and sad things have happened, and when it has been positive.