The Norwegian football federation unveiled their new crest (and a new shirt). "Recommended Norway" is responsible for the design, while Peter Horridge has drawn the emblem. The same man is behind the logos of Liverpool, the Premier League and the England badge.
The Norwegian flag has been a national icon since the 1920s. With the flag on the chest, the Norwegian national teams had many proud moments. But now is the time for a new era where a new chapter is to be written into the history books. And this time, a new emblem to replace the Norwegian flag. Only 7 of the world's 50 best national teams are using the flag active in its emblem.
"We have long looked at how other nations have used their own identity within the symbols of their national teams, and assessed whether this could be an option for our national teams. Now, we believe that the time is right, and we are brilliant satisfied with the result, "said Karen Espelund, secretary general of the Norwegian Football Association.
" The challenge was to find an emblem that best can create a new identity to the Norwegian football and at the same time safeguard the Norwegian heritage and history. "
The new emblem has a heraldisk background, and take inspiration from Viking times.
It is immediately recognizable as Norwegian and is communicating strength, control and performance, "says senior designer Bjørn Høydal.
That's right. Not everything. Just the good things.
I quite like the Norwegian badge but the MLS comparision is valid if only because it has that "designed to within an inch of its life" feel about it.
BTW this is a public forum so I won't go into detail just what I would like to do to the committee of cretins who decided the world famous three lions had to have "England" written over the top. Disgraceful.
but i've read that most Norwegians dislike it. They think it's not done to change the previous crest after more than 80 years and they even threaten to not buy the new jersey till the old crest is back :grin
I always thought vikings were from Sweden.. Not to mention the dragon which has a chinese look imo. Overall it's an interesting design but it looks "to busy" on the clean shirt. 3/5
I absolutely LOVE the new badge. And you can't tell from the photo, obviously, but they still kept the Norwegian flag, but just placed it small on the upper back/neck of the shirt.
At least with the new badge, you won't have the NFF and Flag seals floating around arbitrarily ... Unlike the last kit, where the NFF was on the top of the shoulder, and printed, not emboidered.
It's brilliant design, doesn't look like MLS logos, it has Norwegian tradition written all over it, it still has a flag in the badge ( the lines on the right side). The connection with 3 lions is that the same designer did the logo and the style is the same, but other then that crest is no copy of England crest. And the dragon doesn't look chinese, it looks like a Viking ship and carving Viking ships would have on. Those dots are shields on the ship. Just beautiful, will purchase some merchandise with this crest.
I absolutely love it. Period. Definitely, uniquely Norwegian. Does anyone know where I can get some Norway football team merchandise? :? I've been searching everywhere.
It looks like the norwegian football federation is dropping the shield and keeping the flag patch until they can find something the public likes. (www.fotball.no)
This is horrible! Why would the federation cave in so easily? That badge was BRILLIANT! One of the best EVER, IMHO.
I was poised to drop $200 USD on the new shirt as soon as it hit the Oslo shops .. but now? I love my team, but that badge was damn impressive.
Bonnie Lass
- The NFF on the badge 'retraction' (translated)
|2008-05-22
There's been other stories, of course, but here's the quick version from the NFF site ... (I'm not a native speaker, but know the language decent enough.)
The NFF management has decided that a new emblem will be devised for the national teams, with the Norwegian flag as part of it.
NFF President Sondre Kåfjord promised that feedback will be taken into account in a further process of developing a new emblem. The launch of a new emblem on Tuesday has provoked strong debate in the last few days. The NFF management is using the points of view that have come out as a background to the debate, and concluded that the teams will play with the flag on their shirts until a new emblem is finally ready.
"We have decided to work to develop a new emblem to include the flag, so that players can continue to play with the flag on their shirt", said the President. The debate has confirmed a strong engagement with Norwegian international football and the position of football in Norway.
"The engagement shows that the national teams are important flag-bearers for the Norwegian people, and there are many people who are not pleased with the new emblem and want the flag back on the shirts, so it's something we have to take seriously. I can promise that the contributions will be taken into account in the further process to shape a unique identity for Norwegian international football", said Kåfjord.
The badge is total rubbish. The flag has always served as our emblem, and changing it just for the sake of change is just about the dumbest thing I've ever heard. Luckily most other Norwegians agree with me, and thankfully we we won't be having a wannabe Three Lions copy emblem on the national team's shirts replacing the traditional flag.
Also: What the hell do dragons have to do with Norway? This still puzzles me....
The fact they served as a powerful symbol for the vikings back in the day? How they used them on ships to scare away their enemies and sea monsters?
Well, I hope all of you proud, proud Norwegians can live with your decision. Yes, yes, cast off this badge as rubbish. But don't come crying when the 'new' badge the NFF comes up with looks exactly like Sweden's.
But I guess that would be rather appropriate, no? Nothing like mimicking one's big brother to create your own identity, eh?
(And really, did no one look at the video? Did moving the flag from the chest to the back really cause for such public outcry?)
5/5 The new design is excellent, staying true to the country's roots. Well out IMO. The flag is plain, this design is unique not a copycat of England's, Last time I checked Lions and a dragons are two completely different animals.
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