[Europe Group 3]
8 matches 6 wins 2 ties 0 loss (14 points)
| 6/2/96 | Vs. Azerbaijan | Win | 5-0 |
| 10/9/96 | Vs. Hungary | Win | 3-0 |
| 11/10/96 | Vs. Switzerland | Win | 0-1 |
| 4/30/97 | Vs. Finland | Draw | 1-1 |
| 6/8/97 | Vs. Hungary | Draw | 1-1 |
| 8/20/97 | Vs. Finland | Win | 0-4 |
| 9/6/97 | Vs. Azerbaijan | Win | 0-1 |
| 9/10/97 | Vs. Switzerland | Win | 5-0 |
| Offense |
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Defense |
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| Organization |
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Experience |
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| Talent |
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Capacity to surprise |
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Unlike the previous tournament, for this Norwegian team advancing in the tournament is the minimal acceptable performance. Not only that, but as one of the best teams, its reputation among the soccer world is extremely high and many are naming Norway as a dark horse for the championship. The team's style of soccer is not spectacular but features solid defense with reliable counter-attacks that open fire in the front. Even compared to four years earlier, the skills of the individual players have risen dramatically, as proven by the fact that many of them are playing overseas.
What is giving Coach Olsen headaches is how to use this wealth of talent. First, for goalkeeper Grodas of Tottenham is a powerful candidate, but Gill of Duisbruk is also hard to overlook, so this position is still fluid.
For the four backs, Haaland or Halle is on the right, in the center the injured Johnsen, Hofton, and Berg, and on the left side Bjornebye and Skammelsrud are battling for the respective positions.
The five midfielders are also solid: Leonhardsen, Bohinen, Strand, Rudi, Mykland, Solbakken, and Risesu, who has been stealing the right side position from J. Flo lately. The fierce battle for positions will probably continue, with the only secure position being T. A. Flo at the one top. However, considering the protracted nature of the World Cup, this thick layer of players is a considerable strength.
*Norges Fotballforbund
[Address]
- Postboks 3823,
- Ullevaal Hageby,
- 0805 Oslo
[Established] 1902
*3rd World Cup
(1938, 1994, 1998)
No championships |
Tore Andre FLO
* Forward
The Norwegians are counting on this forward who is extraordinary strong in air battles and blessed with goal sense.
As you can see from his nickname of "Flonald", he is a striker the team is counting on. His heading strength and accuracy are top class even in Europe and his shooting after receiving vertical passes on the counter-attack has to be seen. That fact that he has beat out Solskijael who plays for Manchester United for the regular position proves his recent growth and performance. Even on his club team, Chelsea, he has many rivals, including Zora, Viary, and Hughes, but he is counted on as a critical attacker. Midfielder Jostein is his real brother.
Egil OLSEN
During his playing days, Coach Olsen was known for his dribbling and played 16 matches with the national team. As a coach, he worked as the Norwegian national youth team coach in 1979 and 1986, then worked as the national under-21 team coach. He took the reins of the national team A squad in October 1990. Olsen is an intellectual who taught soccer and physical education at Oslo University. His outlaw character often brews up public criticism, but he receives high marks for his track record in developing the national team. In the last World Cup, he suffered the disappointment of losing out in the preliminary league, but this time he is aiming to move into the top ranks.
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