Egil Olsen's Norway maintain perfect start
After a decade with practically nothing to celebrate, things are suddenly looking up for Norway, as a return to the finals of an international tournament after 12 years in the wilderness appears an increasingly realistic target.
Though Norway had opened their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with two victories, this week's 2-1 success away to Cyprus, who have humbled decent teams like Republic of Ireland and Bulgaria in home matches over the last few years, was arguably the most encouraging of the lot.
The personnel hasn't changed much - the goalscorers on Friday were John Arne Riise and John Carew and every starter has received 15 or more caps - so credit for the turnaround must go to returning coach Egil Olsen, best known in England for his role in Wimbledon's Premier League relegation.
The 68-year-old, who guided Norway to second in the world rankings and the last 16 of the World Cup in his first spell in charge in the 1990s, stepped in last January and nearly took them to the World Cup before inspiring this flying start to Euro 2012 qualifying.
The Scandinavians are done competitively for the year, with tricky away friendlies in Croatia and Republic of Ireland to look forward to, while all they need is a point in their next qualifier at home to Denmark in March to guarantee that they will lead Group H at the halfway stage.
Despite that, they are second favourites behind Portugal ([1.76]) at [2.6], a price worthy of serious consideration because their current position practically guarantees that even if they eventually miss out, they should at least take the fight to the final matchday.
There is reason for Norwegian football fans to be optimistic regardless of whether this latest bid ends in failure as a succession plan exists whereby Olsen will be replaced in 2012 by Stale Solbakken, the man who has led FC Copenhagen to the top of a Champions League group containing Barcelona.
Reckon they'll be among the nations at the final 16-team Euros? Tell us below...
Published: 11 Oct 2010
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