On one point they say the Premier League is behind the times.

It is impossible to discuss this with many in Norway, says Roar Åkerlund in Vikinghordane. The Premier League is the most popular league in the world. Financially, no other is close. Purely from a sporting perspective, the Meisterligaen and other tournaments show that the British also dominate there. But on one point, many believe that the league is played behind the scenes. – The English stadium culture is simply imposed, says podcast host and supporter Morten Galåsen to NRK. – Prices have risen, and many locals no longer have the means to go to the matches. It has affected the mood, says Premier League commentator Peter Veland. Feeling Opposed When Viking travels down to meet Aston Villa in Birmingham, 1950 supporters travel down from Norway. Viking's supporter coordinator Simon Tveit has held dialogue with the Birmingham club in recent weeks in the hope of bringing their supporter equipment to Villa Park on Wednesday. At first, it seemed that neither flags, banners, megaphones, nor drums would be allowed. This led supporter groups at Felt O to post a fiery message on Facebook with the headline: "English clubs, enemies of stadium life!" The challenges started with a security meeting in Madrid before the start of the tournament. "Viking's people already noticed that England and Aston Villa were something completely different from Stuttgart, Atlético Madrid and Napoli. Completely different attitudes, a completely different view of stadium life," the post says. – We experience a very top-down and down-feeling when our people try to get answers, says Åkerlund. He says it has taken a long time to get answers, and when they have received answers, the club has only answered parts of the questions. – This is so far in our experience unique with Villa. If it says anything about England, I don't sense it, continues Åkerlund. A few days ago it became clear that the only effect still banned is drums. The supporter coordinator has had to argue that the effects are "essential parts of their supporter culture". Viking has also used Tromsø as an example, which was met with the same attitude before the meeting with Brighton at the end of August. For the home game they showed a banner with the text "No drums, No Flagpoles, No Megaphone, No Pyro and Tifo restrictions – BHAFC against active fan support". They also succeeded with their arguments in the end and brought some effects with them to the seaside town south of London. – Growing Indifference English football has a very special position in Norway, which was helped when the "Tippekampen" ran on NRK in the late 1960s. The development of stadium culture has not developed in the same direction. There is much to learn from the environment of the Bundesliga, Ligue 1, Serie A – or in Scandinavia, for that matter. Discussing this with Norwegian supporters of Liverpool, Manchester United or Tottenham seems difficult to Åkerlund in Vikinghordane. – There are many who believe that everything related to English football is the final word in football. We see far beyond England when we see supporter culture. We look to Italy, South America and such. What they do in England is rather indifferent to us, says Åkerlund in Vikinghordane. The ultraculture started in Italy in the 1960s. The use of colors, songs, flags, and pyrotechnics are central tools in the subculture that have since spread to many other countries, including Norway. In England there was a struggle against it. The cause is complex, but it didn't help that standing terraces were banned after tragic episodes at Hillsborough and Wysper stadion. Reacting: – It is so absurd Morten Galåsen has traveled around Europe to watch football. He is driven to find the very best stadium culture. The author of the podcast "Pyro & Pivo" stands behind it, where he has spoken a lot about both football and supporter culture over the last ten years in 423 episodes. – Does Åkerlund have a point when he says they are "ridiculously indifferent" to British football culture and instead turn their gaze elsewhere in Football Europe for inspiration? – It is almost a culture war among Norwegian football fans. You have those who grew up with and live and breathe the Premier League and English football. They are probably in a quite large majority among general, Norwegian football enthusiasts. While those interested in stadium culture have realized that England was relegated more than 30 years ago, he says. – The arguments according to the supporters at Felt O include that drumming can disturb the home fans... – I don't know where to begin at all. It is so absurd. If the home crowd at Villa Park is so sensitive to sound that the club itself should have it, then they should not consider selling tickets for their matches at all, and rather drive without spectators, says he. – To turn things around a bit: In England, you don't need drums and megaphones to sing together on the stands, do you think Viking manages without them? – In theory, you can sing your songs without drums. But there is something about timing. English supporter songs often have high volume in the first 10-20 seconds, but then you start clapping and singing too fast, and it fades away. That is what one avoids with drums which ensure the rhythm is followed and the pressure can continue for much longer. That will be a challenge for Viking who have created a culture and another direction for their supporters, points out Galåsen. – Hearing the past Petter Veland is open about the fact that his heart belongs to the Spanish La Liga. At the same time, he works for Viaplay and has commented on home games for Liverpool and Arsenal, among others. So where is the pressure best? – The highest peaks I have experienced myself or via TV are in the southern regions. For example, major confrontations in Turkey, Greece or Serbia, says the football commentator to NRK. When the debate about English football flares up, he points to something he believes is a paradox: – Ask 100 football supporters on the street in Karl Johan where the atmosphere is best at the stadium, and probably 95 of them would answer in England. It might sound a bit like the past, and probably many of them have only been to a match in England. – But in addition to that, the Premier League has done a fantastic job of getting the sound through the TV broadcasts, in contrast to, for example, La Liga, he points out. He tells that he once sat next to Conor Gallagher's agent during a confrontation at the Metropolitano stadium. This was after the player had announced his transfer from Chelsea to Atlético Madrid. Aston Villa-Viking will be played next Wednesday. You can hear the confrontation live via NRK Radio from 9:00 PM!