Norway thank FIFA for key change before England following complaints | Football | Sport
Norway have moved to a more expensive training base before their World Cup quarter-final vs England (Image: Eurasia Sport Images, Getty Images)
Norway’s preparations for their World Cup quarter-final clash with England received a significant lift after settling into their new base. The Scandinavian side faced a problematic situation after numerous players expressed dissatisfaction in the build-up to their most important football match in recent times.
Before Saturday’s encounter in Miami Gardens, Norway departed their base at The Dalmar, a five-star establishment in Fort Lauderdale, owing to multiple disturbances ahead of their World Cup meeting with England. Various players experienced illness, noise-related disturbances and logistical challenges.
A substantial construction site adjacent to the property overlooks a main road, and it is believed this was impacting the squad during rest periods. Their captain Martin Odegaard acknowledged that “there were some things that could have been better”, while manager Stale Solbakken stated they lacked a suitable space to conduct team briefings.
Truls Daehl, the chief of the national squad’s World Cup delegation, had earlier characterised the circumstances as ‘brutal’ after Norway were forced to switch hotels. However, the Norwegian official expressed his satisfaction with the enhanced conditions at their new location, revealing details about FIFA‘s provisions.
“There were things where we stayed first that we would have liked to have thought were different,’ Daehli told TV2. “We eventually decided to take action, because now we are in week six and will be staying here for a whole week. And the match we are going to play now is the biggest match we have ever played.
“Now we have managed to avoid bed sores, and we did not want to risk getting any of that during this period. That is why we made a change. We have been met with good understanding from FIFA, who have moved their package to the new hotel. They [FIFA] pay for 50 rooms, that they pay for our security and transportation. We have to make a small adjustment, because this hotel costs more. But we are incredibly satisfied with the way things have been responded to here.
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Norway captain Martin Odegaard complained about the conditions before the team left their last base (Image: PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA, AFP via Getty Images)
Norway produced an impeccable World Cup qualifying campaign, winning all eight fixtures. Making their first World Cup appearance since 1998, they have maintained that momentum in North America after navigating a challenging group featuring France and Senegal.
In the knockout stages, Solbakken’s side defeated the Ivory Coast 2-1 before beating Brazil by the same scoreline. England, meanwhile, eliminated co-hosts Mexico with an entertaining 3-2 victory at the Estadio Azteca.
Erling Haaland has been in scintillating form for the Vikings, netting seven goals in four outings – including a brace against Brazil. The Norwegian striker is locked in a battle with England’s Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappe and current leading scorer Lionel Messi for the coveted Golden Boot.
When quizzed on whether all the pressure is on England, Manchester City frontman Haaland said: “Yes, definitely. I think there’s some clear favourites out there, England’s one of them.”
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