Published 2026-01-26 17.35
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Timeout in the final seconds.
Then Norway made sure that the television microphone did not pick up what was said.
– They listen, said union captain Jonas Wille.
Norway were whipped to win against Portugal to keep the European Championship semi-final dream alive. But the game ended in a tie, 35–35, meaning both teams are eliminated.
In Norway’s last timeout, with 17 seconds left, game engine Sander Sagosen had to do the talking. Union captain Jonas Wille gave the directive:
– Sagosen takes it without a microphone. They (Portugal) are listening, Wille was heard saying on the TV broadcast.
Then the players got together and planned the final attack without the microphones picking up what Sagosen was saying.
Why? Portugal player Miguel Neves is Norwegian-speaking after playing in Bergen and also has a Norwegian girlfriend.
– I understand most of what they say. I heard a bit of it, but then someone pushed the microphone away, says Neves to VG.
But Norway’s last attack failed. Portugal’s goalkeeper saved the shot from Simen Lyse and Norway missed out on securing victory.
Afterwards, it turned out that the Norwegian players misunderstood each other in the timeout, whereupon the final attack did not go as planned.
– There was a misunderstanding between me and Sander. I hadn’t realized that he said “come on a double cross”, so that’s my fault. I can’t say much more than that. I was one hundred percent sure that he said “stand wide”, says Simen Lyse VG.
Norway face Denmark in the final round of the intermediate round on Wednesday. With Denmark beating Germany on Monday night, it is clear that Norway is out of the European Championship. Denmark, in turn, is ready for the semi-finals.
