Norwegian pub called The Three Lions run by English expat is besieged by 2,500 fans desperate to watch World Cup match

Published: 16:22, 11 July 2026 | Updated: 16:22, 11 July 2026 A popular English pub in Norway run by a British expat has been flooded by more than 2,500 requests for places to see the two sides' World Cup showdown. The Three Lions in Trondheim has found itself at the centre of the city's sporting universe after almost three decades screening international football. Fans have already been showing up five hours early for England and Norway games at the traditional pub, with more than 150 people queuing up outside. Pub owner Adrian 'Dougie' Douglas has not witnessed anything like it after first opening up 27 years ago following a previous decade running a bar in Spain. The England fan expects a 'supercharged' atmosphere when his birth country takes on his adopted nation in the quarter final at the Miami Stadium on Saturday night. 'The games here have been absolutely crazy, I've never known anything like it,' he said. 'We've had a party every time England have played and we've had a party every time Norway have played. 'We've had people doing the conga and because the licensing laws have been changed we've been able to stay open until 7am. A popular English pub in Norway run by a British expat has been flooded by more than 2,500 requests for places to see the two sides' World Cup showdown The Three Lions in Trondheim has found itself at the centre of the city's sporting universe after almost three decades screening international football 'The Norwegians are Anglophiles anyway, they love English football, so they've been joining in when the Three Lions have been playing. 'The way it's worked out with Norway playing England is a dream come true.' Dougie, 57, who has five children and met his Norwegian wife Ruth when she previously worked at the pub, is firmly an England fan despite his ties with the Nordic country. He is joined by a loyal band of fellow British expats at the pub, which is located in Norway's third city and offers 48 burgers themed around the 48 countries playing in the FIFA tournament. 'Every pub, hotel and even wine bars in Trondheim are showing the game,' he said. 'We'll have about 180 to 190 in here on Saturday, including around 20 to 25 English lads who are here for every single game and have been for years and years. 'It's going to be supercharged. 'So far I've had more than 2,500 emails and phone calls wanting to book tables for the night when we've long had all the places taken. The publican expects a 'supercharged' atmosphere when his birth country takes on his adopted nation in the quarter final at the Miami Stadium on Saturday night Fans have already been showing up five hours early for England and Norway games at the traditional pub, with more than 150 people queuing up outside Pub owner Adrian 'Dougie' Douglas has not witnessed anything like it after first opening up 27 years ago following a previous decade running a bar in Spain 'Of course they know the British game through Haaland and Odegaard, but it goes back much further than that. 'My eldest two are staunch England fans but the younger children are Norway fans.' Originally from Cambridgeshire and also a Manchester United fan, the publican is forever grateful to the Norwegians for helping him make a success of his business and family life. 'When I first came here in 1999, I thought 'bloody hell, what's going on?',' Dougie said. 'But I was able to work really hard and with the help of family and friends I've built and designed the Three Lions from scratch. The Norwegians are nice and humble people, they haven't got a bad bone in their body. 'This country has done a lot for me and I really appreciate it.' England play Norway in the quarter final of the World Cup this evening at 10pm BST.