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Adam Hegerberg
Photo:
IMAGO/MARIUS SIMENSEN / IMAGO/Bildbyran
Ada Hegerberg has raised many trophies in the air in her eventful career as a footballer, the former world footballer won the Champions League six times alone.
But none of her trophies are as symbolic as the small piece of fabric that the Norwegian lifted to the sky on Saturday evening.
After her opening goal in the international match against New Zealand (2-0), 26-year-old Hegerberg grabbed captain Maren Mjelde's rainbow-colored armband and held it out to the audience.
A sign of love - against the hatred of the assassin who had scared Oslo a few hours earlier.
"When things like this happen," Hegerberg later said, moved on Norwegian television, "it's about standing together and showing love." It was important to her to "celebrate joy and diversity" on this "special day".
Because to love, she wrote on Instagram, “is a human right”.
The LGBTQ pride parade in the Norwegian capital has been canceled because of the attack that killed two and wounded 21.
The footballers didn't let their celebration of love be taken away.
'Be who you are - love who you want' and 'Football is for everyone' read banners at Ullevaal Stadium.
In addition to black ribbon, Hegerberg and Co. wore the "Pride ribbon" when they lined up for the anthem.
Star striker Caroline Graham Hansen said she "had a hard time" holding back her tears.
After all, 12,657 fans cheered the »Landslaget« – around 4,000 more had tickets, but preferred to stay at home after the terrible night.
The players were also "scared," as coach Martin Sjögren said, while Graham Hansen spoke of an "incredibly senseless" act.
"I hope," said Hegerberg, "we can put such tragic events behind us someday."
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