Heading into the opening round of UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers, there was one nation that was surely embarking on a new era in their footballing history. That nation is Norway. Just like the likes of England, Belgium, and Croatia before them, the Norwegians are now embarking on their own golden generation. With the likes of Arsenal captain Martin Ødegaard and prolific powerhouse Erling Haaland, the future is most certainly bright in Scandinavia. But can their talent-rich squad finally qualify for a major tournament and end the country’s 24-year wait?
Well, if the opening round of qualifiers is anything to go by, they may well end up disappointing once again. With the talismanic Haaland out injured for their opening day trip to Spain, The Lions were routed 3-0 by the three-time European Champions. An early strike from Dani Olmo as well as a late double from debutant Joselu was enough to secure the victory for Las Rojas. They could then only manage a 1-1 draw away in Georgia, with former Crystal Palace hitman Alexander Sørloth netting their goal. To make matters worse, Scotland managed to rout Spain at Hampden Park, meaning that the Tartan Army and the aforementioned Spaniards are now the clear favourites to secure the top two spots in Group A and as such, secure qualification for the tournament itself next summer.
Pressure on Haaland’s Broad Shoulders
Any team would struggle without the quality of Erling Haaland. The Manchester City striker is in the form of his life and has netted 52 times in 49 games for his club so far this term. But the Leeds-born star is unquestionably more important for his country than he is for his club. Yes, he has turned Pep Guardiola’s Blues from country conquerors to potential continent conquerors. But for the national team, he is his country’s only hope.
He has scored 23 goals in 21 games for Norway and was the top scorer in the entirety of the recent UEFA Nations League campaign. While he’s at the Etihad, he can benefit from the service of Kevin De Bruyne. But in Martin Ødegaard, he has a dynamite playmaker at the international level as well, and those two must be at their very best if they are to end their country’s 24-year wait to feature at a major tournament.
Norway will host Scotland in Oslo in June in a must-win fixture. They will then head to Hampden for the final round of fixtures in November. That clash could prove to be a winner takes all affair, and both Haaland and Ødegaard will have to be at their very best if they are to send their nation to the European Championships for the first time since 2000.