Other Games - 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup Edition (+ warm-up matches): Villa-watch

[Somniloquism]

Typically our Press & other media are now talking up Norway as something akin to 1970 Brazil. Just as they did Mexico with "unbeaten in 600 matches at Azteca" bollocks. Norway are a very very ordinary international team on par with Wales and Scotland nothing more.

They work well as a unit and have one or two good players and probably the best current striker in the world. Not good enough to win a world cup but could be the surprise semi-finalists you sometimes get. Not something you would ever describe Scotland and Wales of being.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Norway are a bunch of decent players, with 2 genuine stars in Haaland and Ødegaard.

[Brend'Watkins]

And one upcoming star in Andreas Schjelderup. Very decent player. We should be looking into getting him. Only 22 but looks younger.

[PeterWithesShin]

Norway are better than Wales have ever been in my time, and better than Scotland have been for over 40 years. England should beat them but it's hardly a gimme.

[paul_e]

Nusa is a very good young player as well.

[Hillbilly]

Simon Baker the Aussie actor from The Mentalist seems to play in midfield for Norway, although he’s calling himself Patrick Berg.

[AV82EC]

Berg is a tidy little player and I think he’s the one who’s been part of Bodo/Glimts success over the last few years .

[Meanwood Villa]

They're a good side and I've been impressed with how good they look going forward when I've seen them but you'd absolutely take playing them in a QF

[AV82EC]

Isn’t one of their centre backs the duffer who Ollie ripped apart for Bologna?

[LeeS]

Whatever you think of the Norway squad, they are having a very good World Cup. We should  respect them.

[VILLA MOLE]

Whatever you think of the Norway squad, they are having a very good World Cup. We should  respect them.

Yes they are well drilled and have some quality sprinkled about the team

[paul_e]

Isn’t one of their centre backs the duffer who Ollie ripped apart for Bologna?

Yep, Ollie made him look like a pub player.

[Somniloquism]

Whatever you think of the Norway squad, they are having a very good World Cup. We should  respect them.

Apart from one persons slight hyperbole (and more about the England press anyway), most people have said the same as you.