Haaland’s Norway switch hotels before WC clash
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Live Events as a Reliable and Trusted News Source Addas a Reliable and Trusted News Source Add Now! (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Norway's preparations for what their own delegation has described as the biggest match in the team's history have hit an early snag, with the national side reportedly switching hotels in Florida after just one day following complaints about the condition of their rooms.According to reports, the squad landed in Miami on Monday and were escorted by police to The Dalmar hotel in Fort Lauderdale. FIFA staff, hotel management, and around twenty police officers were reportedly on hand to receive Erling Haaland and his teammates on arrival.The welcome, however, apparently did not last long.Norwegian broadcaster TV2 reportedly visited the hotel earlier in the week and found it situated next to a busy road with a large construction site directly outside.
The nearest beach, according to the report, was nearly four kilometres away on foot.More seriously, several rooms assigned to players were reportedly either reeking of cigarette smoke, showing signs of mold, or had not been properly cleaned.Norway's head of delegation Truls Daehli confirmed the switch to NRK, acknowledging the room issues while suggesting the broader environment was the bigger concern."There were things about where we were staying initially that we would have liked to be different," Daehli was quoted as saying. "We eventually decided to take action, because we're now into week six and are staying here for a full week."He added that the team had managed to avoid cabin fever through the tournament so far and did not want to risk the same problems creeping in during the most important week of their campaign.According to reports, the Norwegian FA did not have to navigate the switch alone.
Daehli reportedly praised FIFA for their cooperation in arranging the move at short notice.FIFA is said to be continuing to cover fifty rooms, all security arrangements, and all transport at the new hotel, in line with what it provides at standard FIFA-designated team hotels. The Norwegian FA is reportedly covering the difference in cost, as the replacement hotel is understood to be more expensive than the original."They have been incredibly helpful," Daehli was quoted as saying of FIFA's response.Erling Haaland's Norway face England on Saturday evening in the FIFA World Cup
quarter-final, with kick-off scheduled for 23.00 CET.Daehli did not understate the significance of the occasion, according to reports. "The match we're about to play is the biggest one we've ever played," he was quoted as saying, adding that protecting the squad's rhythm and focus during the final stretch of preparation was the driving reason behind the decision to move.It remains to be seen whether the disruption has any bearing on how Norway line up against England, but the camp will be hoping the worst of the off-field turbulence is now behind them.
The BriefWire