STOCKHOLM (VG) In the same period as Norway failing eleven times in a row, Sweden have been in all European Championship finals and three of the six World Cup finals since 2000.

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Now, however, there is a wind of optimism in Norwegian football, and after Norway’s strong away win against Serbia, former national team manager Lars Lagerbäck believes that Norway are minor favourites.

– This was a good tactical move, Ståle Solbakken laughed, before he added that “then we may have done something right”.

The current national team manager believes that Norway has a lot to learn from Sweden.

– Sweden has been a role model for us in many ways, a neighboring country that regularly qualify for the playoffs. They do it their own way and have a clear philosophy. They have a coach and skilled players with solidity and discipline, so we hope we will get there too.

National team captain Martin degaard stands behind the manager’s thinking.

– Sweden has become something of a big brother in recent years. They have competed in many championships and achieved more than us. “We feel it’s time to turn things around, and hope we can show tomorrow that we’ve made a move,” said degaard.

– Who’s the favourite? asked a Swedish journalist.

– It’s hard to say. Sweden are at home and maybe have been better of late, but we feel something is up and I think it will be a tight and even game. We will at least do our part to defeat you.

At Saturday’s press conference, it was mostly about Erling Braut Haaland of course, but also about the rivalry between the two neighbours.

– I almost grew up in Sweden and followed Sweden in all sports you are better than us before, like tennis and athletics and everything we are better now, so now we will work hard to be better than you in football too, Solbakken laughs.

While Sweden national team manager Janne Andersson has noticed that Norway has made a move, national team captain Emil Forsberg came with a humorous move towards Norway when the manager was asked which sporting nation was the biggest.

– It’s fun to play in the European Championships this summer, Forsberg smirks.

PS: Apart from the host nation Germany, 20 teams will advance to the European Cup through the qualifying rounds next year, while the final three places will go to the teams that qualify via the Nations League: