'I've waited 34 years for this' – Viking's 'special' story

When Viking FK ended a 34-year Norwegian title drought last year, it was days like these they were dreaming of – preparing to visit Aston Villa in the Champions League. Viking followed a 3-1 defeat at Stuttgart with a 3-3 draw against Bayern Munich When Viking FK ended a 34-year Norwegian title drought last year, it was days like these in the Champions League they were dreaming of. A visit to Aston Villa on Wednesday comes on the back of a remarkable 3-3 draw with Bayern Munich last time out, where Viking led 2-0 at half-time but then needed a last-minute goal to rescue a point. After that game, Viking captain Zlatko Tripic – who joined the club in the second tier in 2018 – told Norwegian channel TV2: "I could have played another 90 minutes.

I'm so incredibly proud. I've waited 34 years for this." Tripic is one part of the Stavanger club's revival story – along with a rarity in modern football, joint head coaches. Former assistants Morten Jensen and Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim both stepped up together in 2021 and led them to last season's title – while they are top again this season. The pair spoke to the BBC's Euro Leagues show last month before their Champions League debut. Aarsheim, who spent the bulk of his playing