Viking players given NOK 150,000 bonus after historic Champions League qualification
Viking beat Dinamo Zagreb 3-1 in the return and 5-3 on aggregate; the club’s director announced NOK 150,000 in player bonuses in the dressing room.
Viking clinched a historic spot in the UEFA Champions League after knocking out Dinamo Zagreb, and the celebrations in the Stavanger dressing room were raucous. Following a 2-2 draw at Maksimir, Viking won the return leg 3-1 to advance 5-3 on aggregate.
Norwegian broadcaster TV 2 was given access to the club’s changing room and captured the post-match jubilation: players, coaching staff and board members danced, sang and shed tears after one of the biggest nights in the club’s history.
Executive director announces bonuses
Executive director Erik Bjorno addressed the squad with a short, emphatic message and revealed how much each player would receive in bonuses for the achievement.
He told the team: "50.000 for the win! 50.000 for the Champions League! And another 50.000 because I love you!" The dressing room erupted in cheers when his words landed.
The sums announced total 150,000 Norwegian kroner in bonuses — described in the dressing room as "or around 14.000 thousand euros." According to the breakdown, 50,000 kroner was the reward for the victory over Dinamo, another 50,000 for qualifying for the Champions League and the final 50,000 promised personally by the chairman "because I love you."
Those player bonuses are a fraction of the financial windfall awaiting the club: Viking secured at least 19 million euros by qualifying for the Champions League.
Photo: press material from the event
