OSLO, Norway — Vålerenga has made significant strides in women’s football, recently securing a draw against Switzerland’s St. Pölten in the UEFA Women’s Champions League (UWCL) group stage on Wednesday. The opening goal came from Agnes Viljugrein, who, interestingly, was not watching the match unfold. Instead, she fulfilled her responsibilities as the ‘capo’ of the “Østblokka,” a dedicated fan section known for its vibrant atmosphere.
Viljugrein, who also serves as a member of the Norwegian parliament, spends the entire match directing songs, cheers, and drumbeats, often with her back turned to the pitch. “Until a few years ago, we didn’t even need somebody to do that job,” she shared with ESPN. “The size we are at now is bigger than we have ever been. We’re growing and building a community that really follows the women’s team.”
Championing Community and Competition
Vålerenga’s growth is mirrored by its on-field success. The club has qualified for the UWCL’s group stage for two consecutive seasons, proving its ability to compete against Europe’s elite clubs. Currently, Vålerenga is in the Champions League playoff positions, with a real opportunity to advance to the knockout stages. Harriet Rudd, the club’s CEO, emphasized the importance of this achievement: “It’s been a very strategic goal for us to qualify for the league phase. I came here in 2021 and that was our main goal from the start. It’s a milestone for us and financially it’s also very important.”
Rudd acknowledged that while the financial gains from the UWCL are modest, the long-term benefits for the club’s development are substantial. She highlighted the need for a clear strategy to attract young talent: “We have to know where we are in the hierarchy of football and have a very clear strategy that we want younger players and players who want to develop.”
Supporting Rudd in this vision is Steinar Pedersen, the sporting director who joined Vålerenga in 2022. His experience, including time spent with Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, informs the club’s recruitment strategy. “In terms of recruitment, European competition is really important,” Pedersen noted. “We know players are coming to Norway to use Vålerenga as a stepping stone into bigger leagues.”
New Opportunities in Women’s Football
This season marks a pivotal change for the UWCL, with the number of participating teams increasing from 16 to 18. From 2025 to 2027, clubs will share a total of €18.2 million in prize money, rising to €24.1 million from 2027 to 2030. For Vålerenga, a share of these funds could significantly impact the future of their women’s team. Pedersen is keen on collaborating with other European clubs to optimize resources. “The differences in resources are very big, but there is a career path here for players that wasn’t there earlier,” he remarked.
Midfielder Oda Tvedten, who joined Vålerenga from Avaldsnes in 2021, understands the hard work required to succeed. Her recent goal helped the team take a lead against St. Pölten, although the match ended in a draw. “We’ve shown we can win games at that level and that we are continuing to develop,” Tvedten stated. “It’s a very good environment to do that, and we’re able to work towards winning here in Norway and performing in the Champions League also.”
Under manager Nils Lexerød, Vålerenga has secured two Norwegian Toppserien titles in the past three seasons and won the Norwegian Women’s Cup in 2024. The club recently achieved its first-ever Champions League away victory, defeating AS Roma 1-0. “For us going into the game in Rome, we didn’t see ourselves as big underdogs because we know the quality of what we do,” Pedersen explained, highlighting the importance of securing results even with a smaller budget.
Despite the challenges, the passionate support from the Østblokka sets Vålerenga apart. “When I started to become a football fan, I realized going to a match was like coming home,” Viljugrein reflected. She expressed concern that the rapid growth of women’s football could outpace Norway’s ability to keep up. “I’m worried that there’s so much money in football and there are so many men’s clubs competing in the same markets as the women.”
The competition for support is fierce, especially against clubs with global fanbases. Record crowds have flocked to Champions League matches, with some fixtures drawing over 90,000 fans. In contrast, just 409 supporters attended the recent match in Oslo. Nonetheless, Rudd finds excitement in competing with larger brands. “It’s great to be able to compete with the big brands within football,” she said, underscoring the motivation this provides for players.
Looking ahead, Vålerenga aims for the Champions League quarterfinals, with the upcoming matches against formidable opponents presenting a significant challenge. “It would be amazing to qualify but I don’t dare to dream about it yet,” Viljugrein admitted. “I hope that, if it really happens, we can show everybody what a big support culture of a women’s team actually can be.”
With the UWCL final scheduled to take place in Oslo at the Ullevaal Stadion in May 2024, the club’s trajectory has created a sense of optimism among its supporters. While reaching such heights may seem far off, the progress Vålerenga has made in recent years allows for dreams of even greater achievements in the future.
