Norway's team doctor has dismissed reports of a sickness bug sweeping through the squad ahead of their World Cup quarter-final against England, insisting all players are healthy. The match is set to kick off in Miami at 10pm BST on Saturday.
Norway's team doctor responds to illness claims
Speaking to Nettavisen, Norway's team doctor Ola Sand said: 'All players are healthy now. Very little fuss considering that we have been close together for almost six weeks.' When asked about headlines in the English media regarding the alleged sickness bug, Sand replied: 'So great that they believe this. We are in control.'
Norway's head coach Stale Solbakken had earlier raised concerns about the squad's health due to extensive travel during the tournament. Norway set up their training base in Greensboro, North Carolina, and have played matches in Boston, New York, and Dallas. Solbakken noted that only striker Jorgen Strand Larsen had a fever, with some coughing and rasping scattered throughout the squad.
Strand Larsen's earlier illness revealed
Speaking before Norway's 2-1 win over Brazil, which secured their quarter-final spot, Strand Larsen admitted the severity of his illness at the start of the tournament was not fully disclosed. 'I had been in the hospital bed for two days straight and was really sick,' Strand Larsen told Nettavisen. 'At first you get scared. I woke up the day before the match and felt it a little, and then it was worse than I had imagined. I got 'FOMO' [fear of missing out] and thought I wouldn't be allowed to join.'
Strand Larsen recovered quickly and was named on the bench for Norway's 4-1 win over Iraq in their opening World Cup group game on June 16. 'Many people told me that my smile was back in place in the morning [on match day], and then they realized that I was starting to get better again,' he said.
England vs Norway: Quarter-final preview
Norway advanced to the quarter-finals after Erling Haaland's second-half double secured a 2-1 victory over Brazil. The match against England in Miami promises to be a high-stakes encounter, with both teams vying for a spot in the semi-finals.
