Norway

Friendly against Switzerland confirmed

The friendly against South Africa was our last home fixture of this season, but there is still one away game left to play in 2009. This match will be played against Switzerland, who unlike us, managed to qualify for the WC in South Africa. Norway finished second in their group, behind Holland, but unluckily we were the ‘worst’ of those who finished in this position. That fact means that Slovenia, Russia, Portugal, the Republic of Ireland, Greece, France and Ukraine has beat off our competition for the playoff drama.

The match will be played in Geneva, November 14th. Switzerland is managed by coaching legend Ottmar Hitzfeld, previously in charge of German giants Borussia Dortmund and Bayern Münich, and key players include top class midfielders Gökhan Inler (Udinese) and Tranquilo Barnetta (Bayer 04 Leverkusen), as well as lethal striker Alexander Frei (Basel).

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The search for a new national coach continues. Newly appointed Chief Executive, Nils Johan Semb, has started talks with current caretaker Egil Olsen and Stabæk manager Janne Jönsson. Lars Lagerbäck has also emerged as an outsider for the job, after resigning as national coach of Sweden last week. Jönsson and Erik Hamrén are among the favourites for both the Swedish and the Norwegian post.