Friday, June 6, 2025. The date was highlighted early on as a possible big occasion. Ever since the draw for the qualifying groups and the match schedule came out, we saw that everything could be arranged.

Friday, June 6, 2025. The date was highlighted early on as a possible big occasion. Ever since the qualifying group draw and match schedule came out, we saw that everything could be in place.Friday, June 6, 2025. The date was highlighted early on as a possible big occasion. Ever since the qualifying group draw and match schedule came out, we saw that everything could be in place.Friday, June 6, 2025. The date was highlighted early on as a possible big occasion. Ever since the qualifying group draw and match schedule came out, we saw that everything could be in place.

We were to open with two away games, before one of the big guns Germany or Italy was expected to visit Ullevaal.

We were to open with two away matches, before one of the big guns Germany or Italy was expected to visit Ullevaal.We were to open with two away matches, before one of the big guns Germany or Italy was expected to visit Ullevaal.We were to open with two away matches, before one of the big guns Germany or Italy was expected to visit Ullevaal.

I presented a possible dream scenario with six points in the first two away games to national team manager Ståle Solbakken just a few hours after the draw was made, in an episode of Bakrommet.

I presented a possible dream scenario with six points in the first two away games to national team manager Ståle Solbakken just a few hours after the draw was made, in an episode of Bakrommet.I presented a possible dream scenario with six points in the first two away games to national team manager Ståle Solbakken just a few hours after the draw was made, in an episode of Bakrommet.I presented a possible dream scenario with six points in the first two away games to national team manager Ståle Solbakken just a few hours after the draw was made, in an episode of Bakrommet.

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It was a golden opportunity to put real pressure on what was going to be the group favorite, before they were to travel to Ullevaal. He naturally toned it down a bit, but he was part of the reasoning.

It was a golden opportunity to put real pressure on what was going to be the group favorite, before they traveled to Ullevaal. He naturally toned it down a bit, but he was on board with the reasoning.It was a golden opportunity to put real pressure on what was going to be the group favorite, before they traveled to Ullevaal. He naturally toned it down a bit, but he was on board with the reasoning.It was a golden opportunity to put real pressure on what was going to be the group favorite, before they traveled to Ullevaal. He naturally toned it down a bit, but he was on board with the reasoning.

“It could have been better, it could have been worse,” was his brief summary of the draw.

“It could have been better, it could have been worse,” was his brief summary of the draw.”It could have been better, it could have been worse,” was his brief summary of the draw.”It could have been better, it could have been worse,” was his brief summary of the draw.

We did the job in the first part of the qualifiers, simply got off to a dream start. Six points, good performances, and a full seven goals in the bank were more than we could have asked for. In a qualifier where goal difference trumps head-to-head, it could ultimately be the deciding factor.

We did the job in the first part of the qualifiers, we simply got off to a dream start. Six points, good performances, and a whopping seven goals in the bank were more than we could have asked for. In a qualifier where goal difference trumps head-to-head, it could ultimately be the deciding factor.We did the job in the first part of the qualifiers, we simply got off to a dream start. Six points, good performances, and a whopping seven goals in the bank were more than we could have asked for. In a qualifier where goal difference trumps head-to-head, it could ultimately be the deciding factor.We did the job in the first part of the qualifiers, we simply got off to a dream start. Six points, good performances, and a whopping seven goals in the bank were more than we could have asked for. In a qualifier where goal difference trumps head-to-head, it could ultimately be the deciding factor.

This has allowed us to go from dreaming of a World Cup with Norway, to hoping. I also believe that there is justified reason to believe.

This has allowed us to go from dreaming of a World Cup with Norway, to hoping. I also believe that there is justified reason to believe.This has allowed us to go from dreaming of a World Cup with Norway, to hoping. I also believe that there is justified reason to believe.This has allowed us to go from dreaming of a World Cup with Norway, to hoping. I also believe that there is justified reason to believe.

NRK EXPERT: Kristoffer Løkberg.

Yes, history has shown us that it is in these moments that the Norwegian men’s national football team disappoints us the most. We have been there before.

Yes, history has shown us that it is in these moments that the Norwegian men’s national football team disappoints us the most. We have been there before.Yes, history has shown us that it is in these moments that the Norwegian men’s national football team disappoints us the most. We have been there before.Yes, history has shown us that it is in these moments that the Norwegian men’s national football team disappoints us the most. We have been there before.

Expectations are built up violently, only to give us a proper fist bump and bring us back down to earth.

Expectations are built up tremendously, only to give us a proper fist bump and bring us back down to earth.Expectations are built up tremendously, only to give us a proper fist bump and bring us back down to earth.Expectations are built up tremendously, only to give us a proper fist bump and bring us back down to earth.

“A traumatized people,” VG’s correspondent described us as to the national team’s captain Martin Ødegaard at the last press conference before the match.

“A traumatized people,” VG’s correspondent described us as to national team captain Martin Ødegaard at the last press conference before the match.”A traumatized people,” VG’s correspondent described us as to national team captain Martin Ødegaard at the last press conference before the match.”A traumatized people,” VG’s correspondent described us as to national team captain Martin Ødegaard at the last press conference before the match.

The captain couldn’t point to one specific thing they had learned from previous disappointments, but at least he managed to convince me that today there is a group of players who are more ready and mature for occasions like this.

The captain couldn’t point to one specific thing they had learned from previous disappointments, but at least managed to convince me that today there is a group of players who are more ready and mature for occasions like this.The captain couldn’t point to one specific thing they had learned from previous disappointments, but at least managed to convince me that today there is a group of players who are more ready and mature for occasions like this.The captain couldn’t point to one specific thing they had learned from previous disappointments, but at least managed to convince me that today there is a group of players who are more ready and mature for occasions like this.

Last year’s fall in the Nations League I think worked wonders for a group of players who had never before succeeded in tilting a group or playoff games in their favor.

I think last year’s fall in the Nations League worked wonders for a group of players who had never before succeeded in tilting a group or playoff matches in their favor.I think last year’s fall in the Nations League worked wonders for a group of players who had never before succeeded in tilting a group or playoff matches in their favor.I think last year’s fall in the Nations League worked wonders for a group of players who had never before succeeded in tilting a group or playoff matches in their favor.

Will Norway go to the World Cup?

This poll does not show what the population thinks about the question. The results show what those who have chosen to vote think, and the poll does not have a sample that makes it representative of everyone living in the country.

– I noticed something from the stands

The feeling that it can now finally succeed also for the “almost team”.

The feeling that it can now finally succeed also for the “almost team”.The feeling that it can now finally succeed also for the “almost team”.The feeling that it can now finally succeed also for the “almost team”.

The confidence they brought into this World Cup qualifier is worth its weight in gold.

The confidence they brought into this World Cup qualification is worth its weight in gold.The confidence they brought into this World Cup qualification is worth its weight in gold.The confidence they brought into this World Cup qualification is worth its weight in gold.

I noticed something from the stands against Israel in Hungary recently. A Norwegian team that didn’t let itself be affected by a slightly lucky Israeli equalizer, but instead turned up the pace and took back the lead in the match.

I noticed something from the stands against Israel in Hungary recently. A Norwegian team that didn’t let itself be affected by a slightly lucky Israeli equalizer, but instead turned up the pace and took back the lead in the match.I noticed something from the stands against Israel in Hungary recently. A Norwegian team that didn’t let itself be affected by a slightly lucky Israeli equalizer, but instead turned up the pace and took back the lead in the match.I noticed something from the stands against Israel in Hungary recently. A Norwegian team that didn’t let itself be affected by a slightly lucky Israeli equalizer, but instead turned up the pace and took back the lead in the match.

– Norway has a golden opportunity

I dare say that this team would have almost collapsed a couple of years ago in the same situation.

I dare say that this team would have almost collapsed a couple of years ago in the same situation.I dare say that this team would have almost collapsed a couple of years ago in the same situation.I dare say that this team would have almost collapsed a couple of years ago in the same situation.

Tonight, of course, a much bigger task awaits. Italy is and always will be one of the great European nations. It will be like a scalp to count, and unfortunately we haven’t had that many in recent years.

Tonight, of course, a much bigger task awaits. Italy is and always will be one of the great European nations. It will be like a scalp, and unfortunately we haven’t had that many in recent years.Tonight, of course, a much bigger task awaits. Italy is and always will be one of the great European nations. It will be like a scalp, and unfortunately we haven’t had that many in recent years.Tonight, of course, a much bigger task awaits. Italy is and always will be one of the great European nations. It will be like a scalp, and unfortunately we haven’t had that many in recent years.

At the same time, Italy is in a state of decline, which has given coach Spalletti fewer options and a weakened squad. Add to that the fact that they travel to Norway with six points they already have to make up. The greatest pressure is on the Italians.

At the same time, Italy is in a state of decline, which has given coach Spalletti fewer options and a weakened squad. Add to that the fact that they travel to Norway with six points to make up for already. The biggest pressure is on the Italians.At the same time, Italy is in a state of decline, which has given coach Spalletti fewer options and a weakened squad. Add to that the fact that they travel to Norway with six points to make up for already. The biggest pressure is on the Italians.At the same time, Italy is in a state of decline, which has given coach Spalletti fewer options and a weakened squad. Add to that the fact that they travel to Norway with six points to make up for already. The biggest pressure is on the Italians.

This gives Norway a golden opportunity.

This gives Norway a golden opportunity.This gives Norway a golden opportunity.This gives Norway a golden opportunity.

I personally have high hopes that it can actually succeed. This team has the qualities that make it possible to argue from a footballing perspective that we can beat Italy on home soil. I think Norway will win.

I personally have high hopes that it can actually succeed. This team has the qualities that make it possible to argue from a footballing perspective that we can beat Italy on home soil. I think Norway will win.I personally have high hopes that it can actually succeed. This team has the qualities that make it possible to argue from a footballing perspective that we can beat Italy on home soil. I think Norway will win.I personally have high hopes that it can actually succeed. This team has the qualities that make it possible to argue football-wise that we can beat Italy on home soil. I think Norway will win.

– A little anxiety creeps in

At the same time, as always, a little anxiety creeps in. The fear that we will once again stumble home from Ullevaal.

At the same time, as always, a little anxiety creeps in. The fear that we will once again stumble home from Ullevaal.At the same time, as always, a little anxiety creeps in. The fear that we will once again stumble home from Ullevaal.At the same time, as always, a little anxiety creeps in. The fear that we will once again stumble home from Ullevaal.

I’ll never forget the feeling after the Scotland game a year ago. Real apathy.

I’ll never forget the feeling after the Scotland game a year ago. Real apathy.I’ll never forget the feeling after the Scotland game a year ago. Real apathy.I’ll never forget the feeling after the Scotland game a year ago. Real apathy.

Of course, things could go wrong again, but then we at least have a safety net through good results in the first matches. Even with a loss, a clean group final in Italy in the last match of the group stage awaits us. That at least calms the nerves a little, but will only be a poor consolation in the hours after the match.

Of course, things could go wrong again, but then at least we have a safety net through good results in the first matches. Even with a loss, a clean group final in Italy in the last match of the group stage awaits us. That at least calms the nerves a little, but will only be a poor consolation in the hours after the match.Of course, things could go wrong again, but then at least we have a safety net through good results in the first matches. Even with a loss, a clean group final in Italy in the last match of the group stage awaits us. That at least calms the nerves a little, but will only be a poor consolation in the hours after the match.Of course, things could go wrong again, but then at least we have a safety net through good results in the first matches. Even with a loss, a clean group final in Italy in the last match of the group stage awaits us. That at least calms the nerves a little, but will only be a poor consolation in the hours after the match.

Claim me for a goldfish memory, but this is the greatest international match in living memory.

Feel free to accuse me of having a goldfish memory, but this is the biggest international match in living memory.Feel free to accuse me of having a goldfish memory, but this is the biggest international match in living memory.Feel free to accuse me of having a goldfish memory, but this is the biggest international match in living memory.

The occasion could hardly be greater, for a nation starved of championships.

The occasion could hardly be greater, for a nation starved of championships.The occasion could hardly be greater, for a nation starved of championships.The occasion could hardly be greater, for a nation starved of championships.

Friday evening. A packed Ullevaal.

Friday evening. A packed Ullevaal.Friday evening. A packed Ullevaal.Friday evening. A packed Ullevaal.

The nation will be at a standstill from 8:45 p.m.

The nation will come to a standstill from 8:45 p.m.The nation will come to a standstill from 8:45 p.m.The nation will come to a standstill from 8:45 p.m.

Now it’s just a matter of seizing the opportunity.

Now it’s just a matter of seizing the opportunity.Now it’s just a matter of seizing the opportunity.Now it’s just a matter of seizing the opportunity.