ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) – Norway’s Sander Berge is no stranger to what many consider the biggest victory in his country’s soccer history, but it came just months after the 28-year-old midfielder was born.
Memories of Brazil’s World Cup upset are being evoked by Norway’s current success. world cup team, and the possibility of playing against the five-time champions again.
of rested norwegian The NFL’s Dallas Cowboys are preparing to face Ivory Coast at home on Tuesday. This will be the first World Cup final since 1998. This was the year they won 2-1 against the then-championships in an amazing come-from-behind performance in the final minute, and made it through to the group stage.
“It’s been talked about so much that I feel like I’ve lived through this moment,” Berge said Monday. “Obviously Brazil, like all the Norwegians who grew up, watched all the Brazilian superstars play in the World Cup. They are good memories for us. … If the opportunity comes to play against them in the knockout stages, it will be a dream come true, a great challenge, a great opportunity and experience.”
The winner of Norway vs. Ivory Coast will face Brazil in the round of 16. The Selecao won with a good result. 2-1 victory over Japan on monday.
Norway coach Starre Solbakken was attending a press conference to preview the match against Ivory Coast when a reporter told him that Brazil had just taken a late lead and asked him his thoughts on the possibility of playing them again at the World Cup.
“I’m not thinking about the next opponent,” Solbakken said. “It’s too early. I’ll do my best to win tomorrow’s game.”
Still, the coach knows the importance of the 1998 game. Norway equalized in the 83rd minute and Torre Andre Flo converted a penalty in the 89th minute to win 2-1.
“This game was important for the memories, for the players and for the coach,” Solbakken said. “Obviously I remember that too, but that’s why we’re here, to have that game in the background a little bit.”
Of the 26 players on Norway’s current roster, only nine were born at that time. Defender Christopher Ajer was two months old at the time, two months younger than Berge.
“The team’s mentality is really strong right now,” Ajer said. “We’ve been through ups and downs, but I think that’s a very good thing not only in life but also in football. So we’re a strong group that will fight for everything tomorrow. I hope that’s enough.”
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