The Norwegian team opens with home matches in the Nations League this fall. This is the program:
September 4: Norway – Austria.
September 7: Northern Ireland – Norway.
October 11: Norway – Romania.
October 14: Norway – Northern Ireland.
November 15: Romania – Norway.
November 18: Austria – Norway.
TV 2’s football expert Jesper Mathisen believes Norway can do well against Northern Ireland, Romania and Austria.
– I think Norway is good at those teams. Both Romania and Northern Ireland are national teams Norway should be better than. Austria has a couple of players that are at a very high level and are about as good as Norway, he says.
Three home games in October
In addition to the matches in the Nations League, Norway will play on the European Championship ticket against Serbia on October 8. That means three games at Ullevaal in six days.
“It may be that we have to roll on the team in these matches and take out larger troops than usual,” Lars Lagerbäck told NTB on Thursday when he talked about the demanding match program waiting.
Mathisen believes Norway’s national team manager should give priority to the Serbia match.
– Lagerbäck may have to think a little differently. There are many players who have played a lot in recent months when the matches come. The Serbia match is by far the most important of them, says TV 2’s football expert.
If the Norwegian win there, either Scotland or Israel will wait on November 12. In other words, Lagerbäck can lead Norway three times during seven-day periods in both October and November.
– It should not be a major challenge. Most players are used to a tight match program, so they should handle it well. I’m just glad there are international matches going on again, says Mathisen.
ROLLINGS: Lars Lagerbäck says he may want to take out larger national team troops than usual this fall. Photo: Pedersen, Terje
Elite series players can get the chance
Mathisen thinks it may be the case for players from the Elite Series to get the chance with the flag on their chest.
– Larger troops will open up the opportunity for more players and perhaps even more for those who play in Norway. Wolff Eikrem is one of them, but he was good last year too, so he may not be a Lagerbäck type.
– If Patrick Berg continues as he plays now he may get a chance. But there is fierce competition in the midfield. It will probably be the same strain for Lagerbäck is not a coach that changes a lot, says TV 2’s football expert, with the proviso that it is a long time for the matches.
Then the question is whether it will be opened to the public or whether it will be almost empty Ullevaal stands.
(©NTB / TV 2)
