Norway forced to leave Florida hotel days before World Cup quarter-final
· Yahoo Sports
Norway has moved from the team's Miami hotel following a series of disruptions ahead of its FIFA World Cup game against England.
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A number of players have been battling devastating illness, while the squad also encountered frustrations with noise and significant logistical issues at The Dalmar, a five-star property in Fort Lauderdale. A major construction site neighboring the hotel borders a heavily congested road, and it is understood that this was affecting the squad during rest periods.
Captain Martin Ødegaard commented after volunteers helped complete the relocation within two-and-a-half hours, via The Mirror US: "There were some things that could have been better, and we fixed them. Just to optimize and prepare ourselves as best as possible for an important match." It comes as Norway's game against England could be abandoned due to another alarming issue.
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Norway's team logistics manager Truls Dæhli added: "It is brutal having to move, but we are satisfied with the new place, and everyone is happy now. Some people might fear that this will affect the players, but it was the players who wanted this more than anyone else.
"We have strong people in our support team and managed to move in two and a half hours. The process of changing hotel is not ideal, but we wanted to take action as soon as possible. Having a good atmosphere is most important.
-Credit:PATRICIA DE MELO MOREIRA, AFP via Getty Images"We are going to stay for a week in Miami and we have now been for six weeks in the United States and we are going to play in the biggest match in Norwegian history. We have avoided cabin fever so far and don't want any risk of it now. FIFA have accepted that we must move to another hotel."
Norway head coach Ståle Solbakken stood firmly behind his squad's decision to vacate The Dalmar hotel, while downplaying reports of a widespread illness running through the camp.
He said: "There were a few things that weren't right there. FIFA agreed with that and was very willing to help us. You would like to have a gathering and meeting room. In total, there were too many little things. It's not that you can't live there, but we should be a team, be together and a unit."
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Addressing the illness reports, Solbakken maintained that only one individual had been affected - team manual therapist Thomas Ødegaard. He said: "That [story] is greatly exaggerated. We have enough physiotherapists to handle it.
"I haven't read much about it. Marcus [Holmgren Pedersen] was a little shaky before the last game, but is ready to train today."
Meanwhile, Norway's team physician, Ola Sand, had previously assured that the squad remained fit and healthy, telling Nettavisen: "All players are healthy now. Very little fuss considering that we have been close together for almost six weeks. So great that [English media] believe this. We are in control."
Norway pulled off a stunning upset against Brazil, claiming a 2-1 victory to advance to the quarter-finals, with Erling Haaland delivering a remarkable brace. The clinical forward reflected on his performance: "That's just how it usually goes. If I get a chance or two, it usually ends up as a goal. I don't know how I do it, but that's how I do it, so it's all about staying focused. I tell myself the chance will come, and then I usually know right away if I don't score.
"We just kept pushing forward, but I hope that all the young people watching this interview - I hope that when you get a little older, you'll see playing for Norway as the proudest thing you'll ever do in your entire life. It's absolutely insane."
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