Horror scenario could become reality for Norway – NRK Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule

– That would be a bit typical. When a national team is finally performing again, it is these margins that can prevent a play-off. But that’s how it is, explains NRK expert Carl-Erik Torp.

In November, it’s time for the World Cup qualifiers to end.

With two games remaining, Norway has everything in hand, but it can still end up with 1st place (direct ticket), 2nd place (playoff) or 3rd place (away).

As Norway won at home against Latvia on 13 November, Ståle Solbakken’s men will keep 20 points going into the very last game.

With a loss of points to the Netherlands, Norway risks being overtaken by Turkey, who will at the same time face Montenegro away from home.

Turkish says and the Norwegian defeat pushes Norway to 3rd place, while the playoff place is decided on the goal difference if Norway plays a draw against the Netherlands – and Turkey wins.

– Svir enno

This means Norway can get both 20 and 21 points in the squad, but still lose the playoff spot.

the has only happened three times before in World Cup history with six or fewer teams in the qualifying pool.

The exception is the 2006 World Cup qualifiers, where for the first and only time there were groups with seven teams in the qualifiers for European nations.

Sweden scored 21 points in the 1998 World Cup qualifiers, but still finished two points behind Scotland and three points behind Austria. Four years later, the Netherlands got 20 points, but had to be beaten by Ireland and Portugal (both with 24 points).

The third and final verdict is Croatia, who got 20 points in a group with, among others, Ukraine (21 points) and England (27 points) ahead of the 2010 World Cup.

– It’s a difficult scenario when you end up with 20 points and we did as we did. But from today Norway can decide for itself. I predict the Netherlands game will be decisive and damn exciting, Bjørn Helge Riise tells NRK.

Riise himself was in a similar situation.

In 2007, Norway managed to secure a ticket to the European Championship at home in the penultimate qualifying game against Turkey, but 1-0 was 1-2 – and the European Championship place rose by one point against Turkey in 2nd place.

“It always stings. I think about it a lot,” says Riise and continues:

– It was a huge disappointment. We were leading 1-0, and the entry was about to be offensive. We were, of course, but the details of the match decide. I remain with the disappointment that you failed to play at the highest level in the only game you had to perform at the highest level, says Riise.

The 38-year-old believes Solbakken’s Norway are better equipped for such a game.

– In the Netherlands, Norway must deliver the best performance individually and as a team at the given time to qualify. To get an outlet for it in the wrestling, is a skill. But now there are a lot of Norwegian players doing well away from home, and Ståle and Brede (Hangeland) are in the squad. Norway seems to have a better prognosis no. Structurally they look a lot better, and I think they’re well equipped, says Riise.

Gibraltar can decide

Egil “Drillo” Olsen knows better than anyone how big margins can weigh in football. He’s not so upset that Norway can finish As long as out.

– It’s pretty rare for a team to also win nine extra minutes, “Drillo” said of Turkey’s overtime goal against Latvia.

Turkey’s goal is a game-changer for Norway. With a draw, Solbakken and co. our playoff place guaranteed with victories over Latvia.

“Drillo” points out that Turkey’s match against Gibraltar, which is being played at the same time as Norway meets Latvia, could be decisive.

– It will be important. We could end up with a goal difference against Turkey. If they beat Gibraltar by 7-8-9 goals, they’ll take us on goal difference, says “Drillo”.

So far, Norway have scored five goals for Turkey.

The goal difference will first be decisive if Norway takes four points in the last two campaigns, and Turkey wins both: