Solbakken and Riemer trade barbs before Norway-Denmark Nations League clash
Norway and Denmark will open their Nations League campaigns on Thursday in a sold-out Ullevaal Stadium, with former FC Copenhagen colleagues Stale Solbakken and Brian Riemer already trading barbs before the Scandinavian derby.
Old Copenhagen links fuel Oslo build-up
- Riemer worked under Solbakken at FC Copenhagen before becoming Denmark head coach in 2024, but both managers want the local bragging rights when their teams meet in League A Group 4.
- Denmark’s coach playfully described Solbakken as a “part-time politician”, referring to the Norway manager’s readiness to address political matters in public.
- Riemer also recalled taking a young Erling Haaland for dinner during the striker’s trial spell in Copenhagen. FC Copenhagen did not sign Haaland, although Riemer joked that he was not responsible for missing out on a player now valued at around 200 million.
- “He is almost a part-time politician now,” Riemer said, adding that he hoped the fixture would deliver a proper Nordic drama.
Solbakken rejects Denmark underdog talk
Solbakken, 58, hit back after Danish reporters suggested Norway had become firm favourites following a number of Denmark retirements. He mocked what he saw as a sudden change in Danish assessments of his side after years of criticism.
The Norway boss insisted Denmark remain loaded with players from Europe’s leading leagues, highlighting Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Morten Hjulmand and Victor Froholdt in midfield.
“It is strange to see Danish colleagues coming in here to praise Norway so heavily,” Solbakken said. “You are being very defensive. Denmark have a squad made up of players from the top five leagues.”
What happens next
- Norway and Denmark compete for the first three points of their League A Group 4 schedule in Oslo on Thursday.
- Norway then host Portugal three days later before travelling to Wales.
- Denmark return home to play Wales, followed by another home match against Portugal.
