Second chances, third time lucky for Paul
All week in Oslo we’ve been greeted by the cheery faces of the Salvation Army volunteers, resplendent in their white ‘crew’ bibs, guiding visitors around Rådhusplassen, serving up meals for the players and even stopping the traffic (legitimately, to allow the parade through the traffic on the opening day).
Many of these volunteers, just like the players, have their own stories to tell. Take Paul Bildea, originally from Romania, who has been a familiar face at the tournament this week.
Paul was 14 in 1989 when the Romanian revolution began, ending 42 years of Communist rule and culminating in the execution of dictator Nicolae Ceaușescu.
“Censorship was so widespread and our dictator didn’t allow us to get information from the outside so although it was a brand new world, the transition happened very slowly and was very difficult,” Paul explains. “Back then, my best friend was MTV music television and through music I learned everything about other countries, the culture, the values, how society is working.
“Really, I became an adult through music. Back then, it was mostly hard rock and heavy metal with a bit of disco and pop - I started with Guns ‘n’ Roses but I evolved into the Beatles!”
After graduating in interior design at university, with his country still in turmoil, Paul struggled to find work and got a job in the wine trade. With the transition in Romania-post revolution so difficult, and many who served the previous regime maintaining power, he thought a different country may treat him better.
“My focus was London but then an old friend from university asked me if I knew anything about Norway,” he adds. “I was aware of their football and fjords, so decided to give it a try for two or three weeks. Here I still am after ten years!”
Starting from scratch when he arrived in Oslo, with no connections, Paul eventually found work in construction and went on to start his own company. After saving up to buy a flat, life was starting to turn round, “But then the virus came into the picture, without my permission!”
No work and dwindling funds were joined by a broken knee, leaving Paul unable to walk. “The experience gave me plenty of time to think about other people who were unable to walk, who might have other kinds of problems and hardships, to think about life and I decided I just wanted to make a change.
“I realised how hard it would be for people who could never recover from problems and I decided to find a meaningful job to help other people, to maybe just listen to them, and that’s what I’ve been doing ever since.
“I now work with the Salvation Army,” he adds, “and in my free time I volunteer to help with events like this. I will come to support all the teams, and enjoy helping them but I will probably shout loudest for Romania!”
Written By Isobel Irvine, Photos By Isobel Irvine