Norway had been on a roll during opening matches of the World Cup but met more than its match when it was time to face the last member of its group on Friday. Norwegian head coach Ståle Solbakken had given Norwegian stars Erling Braut Haaland and Morten Ødegaard the day off, and France dominated from the beginning.
After first beating Iraq and then Senegal, backed by Norwegian fans who enthusiastically imitate Vikings rowing to victory in the US, Norway’s team managed to score one goal but were trounced by France’s four. The French team had been favoured and the 1-4 result proved that prediction to be true.
Norwegian coach Solbakken made it clear he was not pleased, especially with his team’s weak defense against France’s well-known offense. Team captain Patrick Berg, who plays professionally for Bodø Glimt in Norway, wasn’t happy either. France scored after just six minutes, there was some relief after Thelo Aasgaard scored (bringing the match to 1-2 just after the break) but then France roared forward.
They all agreed on one thing, though: Jørgen Strand Larsen had no need to apologize “to the entire nation,” as he did after failing to score on a penalty kick that could have brought the score up to 2-3 at the time. His teammates rallied around him afterwards and Solbakken himself noted that “he was our choice and sometimes you fail. He played a fine match.” Haaland gave him a big and very public hug when it was over.
The Norwegian team will still “row” forward in the World Cup, after placing second in its initial group, with France first. Norway’s next match will be on Tuesday, against the Ivory Coast.
NewsinEnglish.no staff
