VVetle Sjåstad Christiansen thought little could top the greatest sporting moment of his career. After following Norway’s World Cup adventure from the stands in the USA, he has changed his perspective.

Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen is among several skiing stars who have experienced Norway’s football triumphs at the World Cup from the stands. Following what he witnessed in the USA, along with Tuesday’s thriller against Ivory Coast, he is confident.

“We will become a completely new nation after the World Cup in the USA,” Sjåstad Christiansen stated on “God Morgen Norge” on TV 2 on Wednesday.

The 32-year-old holds four Olympic medals and three World Championship golds, but he believes what the Norwegian football stars have achieved in this year’s World Cup surpasses everything.

“It is much bigger than all my sports achievements, and everything I have been a part of,” Sjåstad Christiansen remarked.

Bigger than Olympic gold

The biathlon star attended Norway’s matches in the group stage and believes that experience was even greater than winning Olympic gold in the relay at Beijing 2022, where he delivered a historic comeback on the anchor leg.

“Yes, at that moment. Olympic gold is very cool and something I have worked for my whole life, but look at this: Football!”

Sjåstad Christiansen smiles broadly as he points to the celebration scenes in a video clip after the Senegal victory.

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Will change Norway forever

The biathlon star agrees with Norway’s football star Erling Braut Haaland when describing the Norwegian football adventure in the USA.

“It’s great that it means so much for all of Norway. I believe this will change Norway forever. I feel a sense of unity. It’s something that binds us together more. It’s touching to see,” said the Jæren native after Tuesday’s victory against Ivory Coast.

“It’s something many of us have never experienced before. We will become a completely new nation after the World Cup in the USA,” Vetle Sjåstad Christiansen believes.

Engaging massively

The national team veteran from Geilo is not the only biathlon star caught up in the excitement of the football World Cup.

World Cup winner Eric Perrot and Johannes Thingnes Bø also love football. Before the World Cup match between Norway and France, the two discussed the rivalry between the two nations in biathlon and proposed the idea of a national team match between the biathletes.

Are you interested in biathlon? Click HERE and read more about it.

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