England's football team must heed the lessons of history when facing Norway, particularly recalling the 1993 encounter that became a pivotal moment in Norwegian football while marking a low point for England. That match, a World Cup qualifier, saw Norway, under the methodical guidance of Egil Olsen, outsmart England's then-manager Graham Taylor.
Taylor's attempt to surprise Norway with a tactical shift to a 3-4-1-2 formation was leaked to the Norwegian press, leaving Olsen well-prepared. Jan Age Fjortoft, a striker on the Norwegian team at the time, recalled Olsen detailing England's expected approach and individual player weaknesses to his squad. "He didn't do a lot on tactics because we used the same philosophy as England," Fjortoft said. "He said, 'Paul Gascoigne, thank God he's playing because he will do this and that. And David Platt will do all these things, and we will punish them by doing this and Gary Pallister will be like this'." The Norwegian squad, despite acknowledging the talent in England's lineup, was motivated by Olsen's strategic insight. "And he says, 'Wait, wait, wait boys' and we turn around thinking what is it now. We just wanted to get to the stadium and suck in the atmosphere. He was still looking at his board and he pointed and said, 'Let's not underestimate this England team.'"
The tactical switch by Taylor, intended to counter Norway's aerial threat with Gary Pallister, inadvertently created confusion by drawing him out of position when Flo moved wide. This left England unbalanced and contributed to their 2-0 defeat, with goals from Lars Bohinen and Oyvind Leonhardsen. David Platt's frustration over set-pieces was also noted by Fjortoft, who quipped after the second goal, "it seems to be enough doesn't it."
This defeat was a significant moment for Norwegian football, marking the dawn of a new era that saw them qualify for the 1994 World Cup, their first since 1938, and later for the 1998 World Cup, where they famously defeated Brazil. Olsen, known as 'Drillo,' was credited with transforming Norway into a competitive force with his thoughtful approach and focus on preparation. "He was more of a thinker. He picked a team to suit his style. Analysis is totally differently now, but he was good at that. We were always well prepared, and he made us believe we could win games," said former player Gunnar Halle.
Past encounters have also been marked by notable incidents. In a Wembley friendly in October 1992, Paul Gascoigne's expletive-laden response to a Norwegian TV crew, "F*** off, Norway," became a lasting memory, despite his intention for it to be a joke. This was followed by Taylor's comments nine months later in Oslo regarding Gascoigne's "refuelling" habits, which reportedly stemmed from an incident involving Gascoigne and Paul Merson before the Wembley match.
Furthermore, Norway's 2-1 victory in Oslo in 1981, immortalized by the breathless radio commentary of Bjorge Lillelien, remains a significant event in Norwegian sporting history. Fjortoft noted that the goals in that match were not broadcast live on Norwegian television, adding to the radio commentary's legendary status.
These historical encounters highlight a pattern where England has struggled against Norway, with two defeats and a draw in four meetings. The current Norwegian squad features players like Erling Haaland, son of former player Alf-Inge Haaland, and others whose fathers were part of the successful teams of the 1990s. This generational talent, combined with their recent qualification success, suggests Norway continues to be a formidable opponent, underscoring the need for England to approach future matches with caution and thorough preparation, avoiding the pitfalls of underestimation that have marked past fixtures.