Norwegian Coach Egil Olsen (Drillo) said that the team is better prepared now than in the previous cup qualifier rounds.
– We are better prepared now than we were last time, I can promise. Whether we are stronger can be discussed, but I feel that we have been quite good in several games in a row. And I am confident that we will perform better this time, says Drillo to the NFF TV.
Norway will play against Nordic rivals Iceland in the absence of seasoned striker John Carew with a knee injury.
-We would like to have Carew against Iceland. But we are still a powerful team,” said Mohammed “Moa” Abdellaoue, striker of Norwegian team.
European Championship qualifying match between Iceland and Norway will start at 21.00 in Reykjavik and it will be broadcasted on pay TV, as the Icelandic Football Association has sold the TV rights to the CANAL +.
Iceland squad
Goalkeepers: Arni Gautur Arason (Odd Grenland), Gunnleifur Gunnleifsson (FH Hafnarfjördur), Ingvar Thór Kale (Breidablik)
Defenders: Indridi Sigurdsson (Viking FK), Kristján Örn Sigurdsson, (Hønefoss BK), Grétar Rafn Steinsson (Bolton Wanderers FC), Bjarni Ólafur Eiríksson (Stabæk Fotball), Ragnar Sigurdsson (IFK Göteborg), Sölvi Geir Ottesen (FC København), Arnór Sveinn Adalsteinsson (Breidablik)
Midfielders: Brynjar Björn Gunnarsson (Reading FC), Aron Einar Gunnarsson (Coventry City FC), Ólafur Ingi Skúlason (Sønderjysk E), Rúrik Gíslason (Odense BK), Jóhann Berg Gudmundsson (AZ Alkmaar), Matthías Vilhjálmsson (FH Hafnarfjördur), Eggert Gunnthór Jónsson (Heart of Midlothian FC), Birkir Bjarnason (Viking FK), Gylfi Thór Sigurdsson (TSG 1899 Hoffenheim)
Forwards: Heidar Helguson (Queens Park Rangers FC), Veigar Páll Gunnarsson (Stabæk Fotball), Kolbeinn Sigthórsson (AZ Alkmaar).
Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Rune Almenning Jarstein (Viking FK), Espen Bugge Pettersen (Molde FK), Jon Knudsen (Stabæk Fotball)
Defenders: Vadim Demidov (Rosenborg BK), Brede Hangeland (Fulham FC), Tom Høgli (Tromsø IL), Jon Inge Høiland (Stabæk Fotball), John Arne Riise (AS Roma), Kjetil Wæhler (Aalborg BK)
Midfielders: Christian Grindheim (SC Heerenveen), Henning Hauger (Stabæk Fotball), Ruben Yttergård Jenssen (Tromsø IL), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers FC), Bjørn Helge Riise (Fulham FC), Espen Ruud (Odense BK), Jan Gunnar Solli (SK Brann)
Forwards: Mohammed Abdellaoue (Hannover 96), Daniel Braaten (Toulouse FC), John Carew (Aston Villa FC), Erik Huseklepp (SK Brann), Steffen Iversen (Rosenborg BK)
Match background
So far, two teams played 24 games. While Norway wins 14 of these games, Iceland managed to beat its rival in 6 matches.
The teams first met in a friendly on 24 July 1947 in Iceland; Norway won that match 4-2 in Reykjavik. Iceland and Norway also met in 2010 FIFA World Cup qualifying; they drew 2-2 in Oslo and 1-1 in Reykjavik. Norway's last win in Iceland was on 20 July 1997 in a friendly match.
Review of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Qualifying game in Reykjavik
Qualifiers 2010 Iceland – Norway – Uploaded by videosport.
