After beating Estonia 4-1 on Thursday after which Italy 4-1 on Sunday, Norway have formally certified for his or her first FIFA World Cup in 27 years. However given the presence of world-class gamers like Erling Haaland and Martin Ødegaard of their squad, how has it taken this lengthy?
Whereas few gamers on this cohort have been even born when Norway beat Brazil 2-1 on the 1998 World Cup in Marseille, supervisor Ståle Solbakken, then a midfielder in Egil Olsen’s famously pragmatic (some would say cynical) facet, is aware of the way it feels to characterize his nation on soccer’s greatest stage. And he has given this model of Norway its personal id.
“Soccer has clearly developed rather a lot since my taking part in days, however this era has the identical drive and spirit we had,” Solbakken tells ESPN. “Everybody seems to be ahead to assembly up with the nationwide crew, everybody believes within the undertaking and desires one of the best for each other. You’ll be able to speak endlessly about techniques and what you need from the gamers on pitch, nevertheless it means little for those who do not generate that crew spirit.”
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Solbakken’s crew, as soon as mocked for overcomplicating issues, now exudes management, optimism and confidence as they put together for a visit to america, Canada and Mexico subsequent yr. Certainly, the previous Wolves and FC Copenhagen supervisor’s lengthy (and typically cussed) insistence on construction and elegance has lastly paid off after years of skepticism in the direction of the nationwide crew.
Norway have grow to be a facet that look each meticulously coached and emotionally related. There’s knowledge to show it, after all — urgent depth, recoveries within the ultimate third, expected-goal (xG) differential — however there’s additionally one thing much less tangible: the sensation {that a} new story is being written.
“Solbakken has constructed an incredible tradition throughout the crew,” former Spurs and Norway goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt tells ESPN. “They’ve come by way of a variety of criticism and that is undoubtedly made them stronger.”
Nations League success spurs Norway to World Cup return
Having struggled to claim themselves on worldwide scene since sealing a spot within the Euro 2000 group stage, Norway’s turnaround started through the UEFA Nations League marketing campaign final autumn. They have been thrashed 5-1 in Linz by Austria in October 2024 — a efficiency that appeared to underline each criticism about their naivety — but they regrouped within the final two video games to prime the desk and achieve promotion to League A.
“That was when the gamers lastly understood what Solbakken wished,” Thorstvedt says. “These scenes on the stadium when Norway gained the Nations League [group]; you can really feel proper then that one thing new was occurring. It could solely have been the Nations League and the prize was merely promotion to League A, nevertheless it meant one thing.
“We might lastly ‘gained’ one thing. It was an enormous shift; only a few weeks earlier Solbakken had been written off as ineffective, and lots of have been calling for his head.”
That second marked the emotional reset the crew desperately wanted and since that evening, one thing outstanding has occurred. Captained by Arsenal celebrity Ødegaard, Norway have gained 11 consecutive aggressive fixtures, together with a commanding 3-0 victory over Italy in June’s World Cup qualifiers, a 5-0 demolition of Israel, and an nearly surreal 11-1 rout of Moldova this autumn.
The Israel sport resonated past the scoreline. Following the sport, Israel’s coach Ran Ben-Shimon, nonetheless surprised after the heavy defeat, declared: “I consider Norway are one of many two finest groups in Europe, along with Spain.” His comment — seemingly provided with out irony — was fairly some appraisal of Solbakken’s Norway.
The stats again it up. Not solely have Norway scored extra objectives (37) and assists (29) than some other European facet in qualifying (with an xG of 24.70), they’ve additionally conceded simply 5 in eight matches, a defensive file that after appeared implausible for a crew missing a longtime goalkeeper and fielding a backline assembled extra by way of necessity than design. Solbakken, who turns 57 subsequent yr, would not conceal his satisfaction when requested in regards to the newfound stability; he has constructed this revival patiently, layer by layer.
“The hot button is that I have been in a position to work with a gaggle that has grown more and more comfy with the way in which we need to play soccer,” he says. “Maybe I used to be a bit too bold in the beginning, however I spotted that with the gamers accessible — and people coming by way of — we wanted to undertake a extra front-foot model. In different phrases, to really feel assured imposing a extra attacking method even in opposition to the historically stronger nations.”
In the meantime, Thorstvedt sees the shift because the second Norway stopped fearing opponents.
“A number of issues appeared to return collectively directly,” he provides. “Ødegaard went from being participant for Norway to being sensational; Antonio Nusa, who has struggled at membership stage, immediately appeared like a world-class winger in a Norway shirt, and has appeared so since. And when you could have Haaland scoring greater than a aim per sport for his nation, properly? Scoring week in, week out for Manchester Metropolis is one factor, however doing it for Norway is one thing else solely. Nobody’s executed that earlier than.”
One of many defining video games was that assembly in Oslo in opposition to Italy in June. Many anticipated the Azzurri, who’ve missed the previous two World Cups and are mounted in a rebuild of their very own, to show Norway’s shortcomings. As a substitute, it turned a tactical assertion win.
“What happy me most in regards to the Italy sport — regardless that all of the post-match speak centered on the primary half after we led 3-0 — was really the second half,” Solbakken says. “We managed to defend with the ball: to maintain it, recycle possession and relaxation with it. That pressured the Italians to expend vitality chasing and urgent us, whereas we have been in a position to preserve vitality and assault with freshness when alternatives arose. That is not essentially one thing Norwegian groups have historically been identified for.”
To many who second half might have appeared like a routine defensive train, however to Solbakken it symbolized a metamorphosis for a crew that after panicked underneath strain however can now use possession as a type of safety.
A tactical shift
Whereas a lot of the eye revolves round Haaland’s goal-scoring exploits and Ødegaard’s playmaking, Solbakken’s greatest breakthrough has been structural slightly than particular person. His Norway crew will not be simply attacking extra — they’re attacking smarter.
The evolution from being reactive to dominating possession has outlined this Norway facet underneath Solbakken, and his fingerprints are seen in all places: a compact 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 formation that usually turns right into a urgent diamond, by way of ball circulation geared toward inviting the opposition press earlier than exploding right into a counter assault, and with a collective insistence on bravery when on the ball.
“Tactically, there are some similarities [to 1998], significantly in our zonal defensive group, at a time when many groups desire man-to-man programs,” Solbakken says. “I believe that provides us an edge.”
That defensive edge, anchored by Kristoffer Ajer and Bologna middle again Torbjørn Heggem, has grow to be a quiet hallmark of their success. Norway’s zonal scheme emphasizes preserving compact distances and making interceptions slightly than attempting to battle in bodily duels, a shift that has tightened up a facet that leaked objectives in earlier qualifying campaigns.
Midfielder Sander Berge has additionally grow to be an emblem of Solbakken’s model of soccer. The 26-year-old has rediscovered kind at Fulham, taking part in with confidence and consistency hardly ever seen in his Premier League years.
“He’d taken a variety of criticism, however he’s lastly displaying what an excellent participant he’s,” Thorstvedt says. “He could be finest identified for his defensive qualities, however on this facet he performs extra as a assist act to Ødegaard — he can create too, particularly when all the eye is on the captain.”
Solbakken agrees on Berge’s affect: “Sander had a much less central function at Sheffield United and Burnley — and he additionally struggled with accidents — however he is taken an enormous step ahead at Fulham. We have been in a position to tailor-make a task for him within the nationwide crew that basically fits his strengths.”
That function, usually as a right-sided No. 8 box-to-box midfielder who steps into the house behind Ødegaard and drops into the double pivot when defending, has given Norway stability between artistry and athleticism. Berge’s means to progress the ball underneath strain and drive ahead enhances the deeper passing of Patrick Berg and the inventive precision of Ødegaard, forming an industrious however artful midfield trio.
Norway’s evolution is not solely seen in heatmaps and scorelines, however is measurable in knowledge. Earlier than the most-recent spherical of video games, they led Europe’s World Cup qualifiers in one-vs.-one take-ons (34.7 per 90 minutes), properly forward of Belgium and Spain, and likewise prime the charts for progressive runs (26.1 per 90; Portugal are second with 25 per 90), reflecting each their model and confidence.
As for the un-Norway-like dribbling propensity, Solbakken admits: “With Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa within the facet, that is to a sure extent pure as they’re glorious dribblers.
But behind the numbers lies construction. The wingers are inspired to isolate full backs larger up, whereas the central midfield three guarantee defensive stability, which can be one purpose why Norway have conceded so few objectives regardless of their offensive method.
Haaland embodies “team-first” method
The Manchester Metropolis striker’s 16 objectives in eight World Cup qualifiers, from an xG of 9.86, exhibits ruthless effectivity, nevertheless it’s his selflessness — the avid urgent; the runs that open up house for Ødegaard and Nusa — that really showcase Solbakken’s “team-first” blueprint.
Thorstvedt believes this tactical maturity is what lastly made Norway look full.
“Solbakken’s function should not be underestimated,” he says. “Some coaches are good with folks however much less competent with regards to techniques, and vice versa, however he masters each features. He is brutally sincere and straight-talking with the gamers. I bear in mind him giving Oscar Bobb the hairdryer therapy in entrance of the entire Ullevaal crowd just a few video games in the past, however he can get away with it as a result of he is simply fully clear and sincere.”
Ask Solbakken what holds all of it collectively and he would not hesitate: “Distances. They’re basic, not just for our zonal defending to operate, but additionally to make sure the ball service all the time has the proper passing choices after we assault.”
These “distances” — the spacing between traces, between gamers, between selections — would possibly sound easy, but they outline trendy Norway. The synchronization permits Ødegaard to search out passing lanes others cannot, lets Haaland time his runs to perfection, and allows the back-four to carry form with out retreating underneath strain.
Management, too, is vital.
“The truth that gamers like Ødegaard, Haaland, Berge, and Alexander Sørloth have all carried main duty and management roles at their golf equipment has actually benefited us,” Solbakken says. “However it’s additionally price noting that we have shared management duties throughout the group, as there is a collective understanding of how we construct and maintain the tradition across the crew.”
That “shared management” has grow to be a mantra within the camp. It explains why the dressing-room dynamic feels completely different from the delicate squads of the previous. Even Haaland’s superstardom has not overshadowed the collective id … if something, it has amplified it.
“All of the media desires to talk to him, and the crew’s safety setup is mainly constructed round preserving folks away from him. However it helps that he is so down-to-earth and so well-liked within the group for who he’s,” Thorstvedt says. “Solbakken has managed that stability properly, giving him the odd pleasant off, partly to maintain [Manchester City boss] Pep Guardiola comfortable and ensure he isn’t overused when it isn’t strictly obligatory.”
What subsequent?
Solbakken’s grin upon sealing qualification was understated. However beneath the composure and stoicism, there’s certain to be some quiet vindication.
The supervisor who most individuals thought was too obsessive about the construction and repetition — extra simply carried out at membership stage than inside a nationwide crew with restricted coaching time — to achieve success at worldwide stage, has constructed a facet whose group is its energy and whose spirit, as he retains reminding anybody who asks, is its basis.
“We’re a mixture of bodily energy and method,” he mentioned after the win over Italy. “Bear in mind, we do not have Ødegaard taking part in tonight. We have chosen two hardworking midfielders, though additionally they possess glorious method. No crew can succeed relying solely on one trait. Maybe solely Barcelona underneath Pep Guardiola may obtain 100% reliance on method.”
After 27 years, it has taken a variety of work behind the scenes, however Solbakken’s overriding emotion is certainly one of aid.
“After I noticed the draw outcomes, I used to be nearly sure that Italy would advance,” he mentioned. “However ultimately, we got here out on prime, and we really feel extraordinarily proud. On this event, I set excessive requirements for the gamers, they usually have rewarded me handsomely. They’ve executed a superb job.
“I do not assume there may ever be a extra great evening in my life. It is merely surreal …
“It [the qualification process] has been robust, it actually has. We have lived with this for fairly a very long time now … It is simple to say that after we beat Italy [in the first game] it was determined, however you continue to need to undergo matches after that, and have coaching periods, tactical conferences and spend time collectively. So much can occur, so proper now I really feel monumental aid. And I believe I am going to get happier and happier because the night goes on.”