Norway’s 3-2 victory over Sweden Sunday proves, in the eyes of commentators, that the Norwegian national men’s football team is once again a force to reckoned with. Their latest triumph played out before a packed national stadium in Oslo with King Harald V smiling in the grandstands.
“They appear so mature, they’ve become so professional and they demand a lot of themselves,” wrote Erlend Nesje on Monday. He’s followed football for years for Norway’s biggest newspaper Aftenposten, and is convinced that the team, now under the leadership of coach Ståle Solbakken, has broken through a new barrier.
They’re also in good position now, after winning 10 out of 12 points in a tough Nations League group, to secure themselves “good seeding” for the draw of European Championship groups in October. That would help them qualify for Euro2024 in Germany.
Star player Erling Braut Haaland was the top scorer once again and he assisted in Alexander Sørloth’s goal. Norway has long been in Sweden’s shadow on the football field, but now the tide is turning. Norway also beat Sweden on their rival’s home turf last weekend. Now all the players will return to their professional teams before reassembling in September for the final Nations League matches.
newsinenglish.no staff
