Riemer Denies Responsibility for FC Copenhagen Passing on Haaland

Denmark coach Brian Riemer has insisted he was not responsible for FC Copenhagen passing on Erling Haaland during the striker’s trial visit in 2017, as his side prepared to face Norway in Thursday’s UEFA Nations League opener in Oslo.

Riemer addressed the long-running story at Ullevaal Stadion before the Scandinavian meeting, recalling that Haaland spent a week training in Copenhagen as a teenager alongside his father, former Norway international Alf-Inge Haaland. Riemer was FC Copenhagen’s Under-19 coach at the time, while current Norway manager Stale Solbakken was in charge of the first team.

Solbakken had already made clear that his former colleague was not involved in the decision over whether Haaland would be offered a deal. Riemer, smiling as he discussed the episode, said the tale had become a familiar football anecdote but rejected the idea that he had denied Copenhagen a future windfall.

“It is a good story for a party,” Riemer said. “Erling was invited for a trial period in Copenhagen, but I had no influence on whether he stayed. I can say with a clear conscience that I did not cost FC Copenhagen 200 million.”

Haaland has since developed into one of world football’s leading forwards, and Riemer said it has been a pleasure to watch the Norwegian’s rise since that early visit nearly a decade ago.

Denmark target points in Oslo

Riemer will now face Solbakken from the opposite dugout, with Denmark determined not to arrive as outsiders against a Norway side led by Haaland. The Denmark coach dismissed any suggestion that his players should see themselves as inferior in Oslo, stressing the quality and talent available in his own squad.

“We do not view ourselves as underdogs or the smaller brother,” Riemer said. “We have a very strong national team, with a lot of quality and talent. We have come here to take points home.”

Denmark’s staff spent three days in Helsingor working on tactical plans intended to unsettle Norway before travelling to the Norwegian capital. Midfielder Morten Hjulmand echoed the manager’s confidence, saying Denmark are not distracted by Norway’s World Cup success and are focused instead on delivering their own game plan.

What happens next is Thursday’s League A clash at Ullevaal, where Denmark aim to begin their Nations League campaign with an away win.