Maybe it's the fact that his team are playing an obvious second fiddle to the acclaimed masters of style on the opening day, but Egil Olsen reckons his Norwegian side are ready to turn in a little bit of the beautiful game themselves when they take on Morocco at Montpellier's Mousson Stadium this evening.
Out have gone the acclaimed head-the-balls for part one of Norway's third assault on this competition's second phase and in have glided the technicians. Suddenly Olsen likes the players who play ball, and given the importance of this evening's game his selection appears to represent far more than a one-off gamble.
Through the centre of the team the established names remain - Frode Grodas, Ronny Johnsen, Kjetil Rekdal and Tore Andre Flo are the starting points for Olsen these days - but the decision to play Ole Solskjaer and Havard Flo out wide is intriguing while Oyvind Leonhardsen and Erik Mykland fought off tough competition for their places.
"It is a game that we need to win," said Olsen last night, "because although I would not necessarily think Brazil will win all of their games, I can not see them failing to qualify, so it is right when it is said that there are three teams all looking for one place in the next round."
In stark contrast to Olsen, Moroccan manager Henri Michel kept his cards close to his chest after seeing his squad train at the stadium. He will announce his team this afternoon, but could have everyone to choose from if Deportivo La Coruna's stopper, Noureddine Naybet, shrugs off a muscle strain in time to start.
Norway: Grodas; Berg, Johnsen, Eggen, Bjornebye; H Flo, Leonhardsen, Rekdal, Mykland, Solskjaer; TA Flo.
