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Beth Lindop
OSLO, Norway — When Karina Saevik netted the initial goal for Norwegian underdogs Vålerenga in their 2-2 draw against St. Pölten in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) on Wednesday night, Agnes Viljugrein wasn’t even spectating.
Instead, Viljugrein (who, in her daytime role, is a member of the Norwegian parliament) was occupied with her responsibilities as Vålerenga’s ‘capo’; the head of the «Østblokka» — the devoted section of supporters who strive to create an electrifying atmosphere from start to finish. For 90 minutes, the ‘capo’ directs chants, cheers, and drumbeats, thus facing away from the pitch for most of the match, relying solely on the expressions of fellow fans to interpret the events on the field.
«A few years ago, we didn’t even require someone to perform that role,» Viljugrein (featured, below) stated to ESPN. «There was hardly anyone attending the matches. The number of fans we have now surpasses anything we have experienced before. We are expanding and fostering a community that genuinely supports the women’s team.»
This increase is also evident on the field, with Vålerenga having qualified for the UWCL’s group stage for two consecutive seasons. In an era where the financial power of some of Europe’s largest clubs is intensifying competition in the women’s game, Vålerenga is demonstrating their capability to compete and currently lie just outside the Champions League playoff spots with a legitimate opportunity to advance to the knockout rounds.
«It has been a key goal for us to secure a place in the league phase,» Vålerenga CEO Harriet Rudd shared with ESPN. «When I arrived here in 2021, that was our primary aim from the beginning. It represents a significant milestone for us, and from a financial standpoint, it carries importance as well. Naturally, the financial benefits may not be substantial, and the costs are quite high. Nevertheless, I believe it is crucial strategically and for the club’s future development.
«We need to understand our position within the hierarchy of football and maintain a clear strategy that attracts younger players and those eager to grow. Ambitious players can use this as a launching pad, a venue for growth and experience to facilitate the next step in their careers. We must ensure that the environment surrounding the players supports that ambition. Thus, facilities and all aspects related to training and matches are essential.»
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Assisting Rudd in molding the changing environment at Vålerenga is sports director Steinar Pedersen, who joined the club in 2022 following a professional playing career that included time with Bundesliga giant Borussia Dortmund. In 2025 alone, four female players have been transferred for fees exceeding $1 million (with the world record being broken each instance), but it falls to Pedersen to identify quality players for a fraction of that cost.
«In terms of scouting, European competition is vital,» he noted. «Historically, the Norwegian league has been decent, but we have a significant amount of work to do. Few clubs truly meet the criteria and standards presented by these competitions.
«We understand that players come to Norway to utilize Vålerenga as a stepping stone to larger leagues, and we must leverage that alongside developing homegrown talent that already exists in the region. We aim to be a club where the next star players can flourish.»
This year signifies the onset of a significant transformation in the UWCL, with the number of teams in the league phase escalating from 16 to 18. From 2025 to 2027, participating clubs will collectively access €18.2 million in prize money, which is expected to rise to €24.1 million between 2027 and 2030.
For clubs such as Vålerenga, obtaining a share of this financial boost could play a crucial role in shaping the future of their women’s team, and Pedersen actively collaborates with his European counterparts to ensure resources are utilized as efficiently as possible.
«We have been privileged to engage with those prominent clubs and have discussions with them,» he remarked. «The disparity in resources is considerable, but there is a career trajectory available for players now that didn’t exist before. We must train them to adapt to the demands of higher-level football. Naturally, every young athlete aspires to play for Arsenal or Barcelona, but reaching that level demands extensive dedication.»
One player who understands the extent of commitment required to build a professional career is Vålerenga midfielder Olaug Tvedten (featured, left), who transferred to the club from another Norwegian team, Avaldsnes, in 2021. On Tuesday, her long-range shot gave the hosts a 2-0 advantage against Switzerland’s St. Pölten, before goals from Kess Elmore and Jennifer Klein leveled the match for the visitors at the Intility Arena.
Although the outcome was disappointing regarding Vålerenga’s aspirations for advancing in the knockout stages, Tvedten acknowledged the club’s ongoing progress as a source of pride.
«We’ve had an incredible journey towards becoming a leading club in Norway,» she expressed. «In recent seasons, we’ve implemented a solid plan, especially concerning our European ambitions. We’ve demonstrated our capability to win matches at this level and are continually growing. As we’re not from a top-five European league, we realize players join us with aspirations to advance. It creates a positive environment for that growth, and we strive to achieve success in Norway and also in the Champions League.»
Under the guidance of manager Nils Lexerød, Vålerenga has secured two Toppserien titles in the last three seasons, along with winning the Norwegian Women’s Cup in 2024. This season, the club reached another landmark achievement, pulling off their first-ever Champions League away victory with a 1-0 win against Italian powerhouses AS Roma earlier this month.
«That’s the intriguing aspect of football,» Pedersen remarked. «There’s always an opportunity to achieve unexpected outcomes against stronger opponents. When we faced Roma, we didn’t perceive ourselves as heavy underdogs because we recognize the quality of our play.
«Certainly, larger nations boast well-known brands like Barcelona, Roma, Bayern Munich — all the illustrious names that invest significantly to progress their women’s teams and compete in these tournaments. For us, it’s about extracting quality results from tighter budgets, and we must find ways to achieve those results.»
While some of Vålerenga’s competitors in Europe can count on an existing global fanbase, the unwavering support from the «Østblokka» (as depicted above) distinguishes the club.
«When I initially became a football supporter, attending a match felt like returning home,» Viljugrein reflected. «The songs, the faces — many of them I recognized as neighbors. The community felt right for me, and I realized this was precisely what I needed in my life.
«My sole concern is whether the rapid growth in women’s sports, particularly in football, can be sustained in Norway. We originate from a society known for its equality, but I now fear that the influx of investments in football and the presence of competing men’s clubs in the same markets as the women may create challenges.»
Indeed, it is evident that Vålerenga is contending for support — both commercially and in terms of fan attendance — against teams backed by global giants. The increasing interest in women’s football has led to record attendances at Champions League matches recently, with three-time winners Barcelona drawing over 90,000 fans at Camp Nou on two occasions, while current holders Arsenal consistently attract tens of thousands to the Emirates Stadium.
In contrast, only 409 fans braved the frigid weather to witness Vålerenga face St. Pölten in Oslo (although 3,500 did come out for last month’s match against VfL Wolfsburg), but despite the evident potential for growth, there is a prevailing sentiment within the club that the challenge ahead is more thrilling than intimidating.
«I believe this is mostly enjoyable,» Rudd commented. «It’s fantastic to compete with the top brands in football. The players find it exciting, not only because of the visibility it brings but also due to the opportunity to challenge themselves in that context. Achieving a milestone like the victory over Roma reinforces the belief that progress is achievable.»
For Vålerenga, the next objective is to advance to the Champions League quarterfinals, with the new knockout phase playoffs providing clubs outside the traditional elite a more plausible route to reach the final eight.
The upcoming matches — at home against Paris FC and away against Bayern — will prove challenging, yet Lexerød’s squad has demonstrated their ability to compete effectively on any given day.
«It would be incredible to qualify, but I hesitate to envision that yet,» Viljugrein admitted. «Even if we do qualify, I’m uncertain if Norwegian society will fully grasp how monumental that would be for us. My hope is that if we do achieve it, we can illustrate to everyone the significant support culture surrounding a women’s team and demonstrate that we are substantial — not only on the field but off it as well.»
The fact that this season’s UWCL final is scheduled to occur in Oslo — at the nearby Ullevaal Stadion, the national team’s home — implies that Europe’s attention will be directed towards Norway next May.
For the moment, the possibility of Vålerenga reaching that prestigious final seems implausible, but the club’s development over recent years has enabled fans to fantasize about scaling even loftier summits. That, in itself, feels like a triumph.
– Photo credits: Ane Frøsaker / Grabthemomentphoto (unless otherwise indicated)
