Morten Thorsby Confirms He Was the ‘Horny’ Player Behind Norway Team Hotel Incident
Norwegian international Morten Thorsby has confirmed he was the player who left the national team hotel without permission in June 2025, putting an complete to months of speculation about the so-called “horny” incident that had intrigued Norwegian football fans.
The Cremonese midfielder revealed in a recent interview with Norwegian broadcaster TV2 that he was indeed the player who snuck out to meet his future wife, explaining that his intentions were innocent and that the midnight rendezvous ultimately led to their engagement.
“I can confirm that I was the one,” Thorsby told TV2 with what reporters described as a mischievous grin. “But I acted with exceptionally innocent intentions and it was a nice date. And one with beautiful consequences – I am now engaged to that woman and we will gain married.”
The incident dates back to June 2025 when Norway’s head coach Ståle Solbakken discovered that one of his players had left the team hotel during national team duty. Solbakken had previously described the player as simply being “horny” – Norwegian slang for feeling amorous or frisky – without naming the individual involved.
Thorsby acknowledged that Solbakken’s characterization wasn’t entirely inaccurate, but emphasized the context of his actions. “How Solbakken portrayed it wasn’t completely correct,” the 29-year-old explained. “I acted with very innocent intentions and it was a nice date.”
The Norway international, who plays his club football for Serie B side Cremonese in Italy, revealed that the consequence of that night was far more significant than a simple breach of team rules – it led to his engagement.
“I stand by it and would do it again,” Thorsby declared, showing no regret for his actions despite violating team protocols.
The reason Solbakken was able to discover the missing player so quickly, according to the coach’s own account, was due to Thorsby’s oversight. “He left his room door simply open. So it wasn’t hard to notice he wasn’t there,” Solbakken had reportedly said.
Thorsby, who previously played for Union Berlin in the Bundesliga before moving to Italy, has become a regular fixture in Norway’s national team setup. His confirmation brings closure to a story that had circulated in Norwegian media for nearly a year, with fans and commentators speculating about the identity of the player involved.
The incident occurred during Norway’s preparations for international fixtures in June 2025, though specific match details were not disclosed in the available reports. Norway has been competing in UEFA Nations League and World Cup qualifying campaigns in recent seasons.
Thorsby’s revelation adds a personal dimension to what was initially framed as a disciplinary matter, showing how a moment of poor judgment regarding team rules ultimately led to a significant personal milestone for the Norwegian international.
The Cremonese midfielder appears unfazed by the potential disciplinary implications from his club or national team, focusing instead on the positive outcome of his actions.
What’s Next for Thorsby and Norway
Thorsby continues his club commitments with Cremonese in Italy’s Serie B while maintaining his place in Norway’s national team setup. The Norwegian squad is expected to continue their international campaign throughout 2026, with upcoming fixtures in both UEFA Nations League and European Championship qualifying matches.

For Archysport readers wanting to stay updated on international football developments and player news from around the globe, we encourage you to share your thoughts in the comments section below and follow our ongoing coverage of the sport.