Norway were forced to leave their hotel in Miami due to unrest ahead of their World Cup match against England. Members of the Staare Solbakken team were frustrated by noise and basic logistical issues at The Dalmar in Fort Lauderdale, a five-star hotel.
We know that a large construction project next to our building faces a busy road and this was impacting our team during downtime. “There were some things we could have done better and we fixed them, just to do our best and be the best prepared for an important game,” captain Martin Odegaard said after helping the Volunteers complete the changeover in two-and-a-half hours.
Norwegian team logistics manager Truls Dali added: “It’s cruel to have to move, but we are happy in our new location and everyone is happy now. Some may be worried that this will affect the players, but it was the players who wanted this more than anyone.”
“We have a strong support team and were able to move us in 2.5 hours. The process of changing hotels is not ideal, but we wanted to take action as soon as possible. Having a good atmosphere is most important. The process of changing hotels was not ideal.”
“We were supposed to be in Miami for a week and are now in the US for six weeks, where we will be playing the biggest match in Norway’s history. We have avoided cabin fever so far, but we don’t want to risk that now. FIFA has confirmed that we will have to move to another hotel.”
Coach Solbakken also downplayed reports of an illness spreading within the camp, but defended the team’s decision to leave Dalmar. “It wasn’t right in some respects. FIFA agreed with that and actively helped us,” he said.
“You want gatherings and meeting rooms. Overall, there were too many details. It’s not like we can’t live there, but we’re a team, we’re together, we’re supposed to be a unit.”
Regarding his illness, he admitted that only one person is suffering, team manual therapist Thomas Odegaard. He added: “That (story) is highly exaggerated. We have enough physical therapists to deal with it.
“I haven’t read much about it. Marcus (Holmgren Pedersen) was a little shaky before the last game, but today he is ready to practice.”
Norway’s doctor Ola Sand, who had previously insisted the squad was “healthy”, told Netavisen: “All the players are healthy now. There is little to make a fuss about, considering they have been together for almost six weeks. It’s as great as[British media]would have you believe. We are in control.”
Norway defeated Brazil 2-1, with Haaland scoring two great goals, to book their place in the last eight. And the forward said this after the game: “That’s always the case. If you get one or two chances, it usually ends up being a goal. I don’t know how I do it, but that’s how I do it, so just stay focused. I tell myself chances will come and I always know right away if I don’t score.”
“We just kept moving forward, but I hope to all the young people watching this interview that when they get a little older, they think playing for Norway is the proudest thing they’ve ever done in their lives. It’s just insane.”
