ULLEVAAL STADION (VG) National team captain Martin Ødegaard has brought in an NRK legend to entertain his team-mates days before the game with Scotland.

– He’s an undisputed leader for this group both on and off the pitch, and someone I’m in contact with at least every 14 days.

This is how Ståle Solbakken opened VG’s question on how he sees Martin Ødegaard’s development as captain and manager in recent years.

From a great talent who has never spoken in the biggest words of the press, Ødegaard has now become a central figure in the Solbakken crew. As well as captaining Arsenal.

At Thursday’s press conference, Solbakken revealed that Ødegaard was the man behind introducing a high-profile profile to the assembly.

– Yesterday it was Martin who arranged it. Then he was the initiator of a quiz with the management and the players. Then Dan Børge Akerø came in and asked a few questions. It was pretty even, Solbakken said with a smile.

In front of VG, the quiz host was very proud to have the opportunity.

– I was not shocked to be invited, but I am very proud to be invited, says Akerø to VG.

He played football himself and got three games for Skeid in the Premier League. He was an unused reserve for the same team in the cup final against Viking in 1974.

The subject of the quiz was, of course, international football. It was possible to get around 70 quiz points, and Akerø was impressed with the level.

– The best has obtained more than 60 points. These guys know what there is to know about international football. There were two teams that got the same score, so we had to decide with “sudden death”. There are impressive quiz skills within the team.

Asked by NRK who impressed him the most, Solbakken replied:

– It was such a mixed team that I don’t want to point fingers at anyone, but The wigThe wigBård Wiggen, Solbakken’s assistant in the national team wasn’t razor sharp on anything, Solbakken said and smiled.

– FindFindBård Finne, Fire and national team striker. was operational, he adds.

The winning team consisted of Ola Solbakken, Jørgen Strand Larsen, Leo Skiri Østigård, Frode Grodås (goalkeeping coach), Are Hokstad (administrative staff coordinator) and Kristian Santiago Ankersen.

Against Scotland on Saturday and Cyprus on Tuesday, Ødegaard is a natural choice in midfield for Solbakken. It’s been almost ten years since a young Ødegaard broke into Norwegian football, and since then his career has been watched closely by everyone interested in football.

– I’ve come a long way since Martin was 15. I feel that. I was a little boy, thrown into media and attention and all that. It wasn’t just easy. I have gained experience and been through a lot. Then you become more mature, says Ødegaard.