Norway have received a timely boost before their World Cup quarter-final against England, with team doctor Ola Sand confirming that Ståle Solbakken’s full squad is available.
The update comes after concerns over illness inside the Norwegian camp following their 2-1 win over Brazil, a result that sent them into the last eight and set up Saturday’s meeting with England in Miami.
According to LADbible, Solbakken had admitted that some players had been “coughing and rasping” in recent days, while Marcus Pedersen missed the Brazil match after feeling below full strength.
“He didn’t have a fever and was training, but he felt like his body wasn’t quite keeping up,” Solbakken said of Pedersen.
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Jørgen Strand Larsen had also been affected by a fever earlier in the tournament, although Norway’s medical staff now appear relaxed about the situation.
Sand calms illness fears
Quoted by SPORTbible, Sand made it clear that Norway are not dealing with a wider health problem before facing England.
“All players are healthy now,” he said.
“Very little fuss considering that we have been close together for almost six weeks. So great that they believe this [the sickness bug rumour]. We are in control.”
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Solbakken had already played down the issue, pointing to the realities of moving a large group around during a long tournament.
“There’s air conditioning, flights, changing rooms and all that,” he said.
“We’re over 50 people, so it would be strange if one or the other didn’t come.”
England test awaits in Miami
With the health questions answered, Norway can turn their full attention to England.
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Their victory over Brazil was one of the most significant results in Norwegian football history, and it has pushed Solbakken’s side into a quarter-final few would have predicted before the tournament.
England, meanwhile, reached the last eight after a 3-2 win over Mexico. Thomas Tuchel’s side will enter the match as favourites, but Norway’s momentum and confidence have changed the tone around the tie.
The quarter-final is scheduled for Saturday, July 11, in Miami, with kick-off at 10pm UK time.
For Norway, the message before the biggest match of their tournament is simple: the squad is fit, the scare is over, and England will not be facing a weakened opponent.
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