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Goalkeepers
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Frode Grodas
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(Tottenham Hotspur, England), age 33, 37 caps
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Norway's captain during qualifying, let in just two goals in
eight matches. Likely to be first choice for Norway despite
spending most of the season on the bench at Chelsea and
Tottenham. A qualified teacher.
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Thomas Gill
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(Duisburg, Germany) 32, (33 on May 16), 5 caps
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Veteran whose chances of supplanting Grodas as first choice
faded after an unconvincing display in a 2-2 friendly draw
against Belgium in March. Played the second half of the shock
4-2 victory against Brazil in May 1997.
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Thomas Myhre
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(Everton, England) 24, 1 cap
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Impressive at
Everton this season following his $1.3 million switch from
Viking Stavanger. Has an outside chance of making it to France.
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Defenders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Henning Berg
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(Manchester United, England), 28, 50 caps
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Combative defender who covers the ground well and is strong in
the air. A regular choice with the national team since his debut
in 1992. Captained Norway for first time in February's 3-3
friendly draw against France. Has been in and out of the United
side since his 5.0 million pounds ($8.3 million) move from
Blackburn at the start of the season.
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Stig Inge Bjornebye
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(Liverpool, England) 28, 60 caps
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Strong
left-sided player with a powerful shot. Played in all three of
Norway's games at the 1994 World Cup. One of the first Norwegian
players to move to England when he joined Liverpool in 1992, but
has not featured regularly for the Merseysiders this season.
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Dan Eggen
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(Celta Vigo, Spain), 28, 12 caps
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Equally at home
in midfield, a strong header of the ball who has been in good
form in Spain. As a Brondby player he was the surprise inclusion
in squad for 1994 World Cup.
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Gunnar Halle
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(Leeds United England), 32, 59 caps
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Experienced and solid defender trying to break back into the
team after a career hampered by injuries. Made his international
debut in 1987.
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Alf Inge Haaland
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(Leeds United, England), 25, 27 caps
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Was
one of the youngest players in Norway's 1994 World Cup squad.
Can play as center-back or in midfield and has developed an eye
for goal since moving to Leeds from Nottingham Forest in 1997.
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Ronnie Johnsen
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(Manchester United, England), 28 (29 on June 10), 31 caps
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Rock solid for Norway but not certain to be fit in
time after suffering a knee injury just before Easter. Pacey
centre-back who impressed for United in Europe this season.
Formerly with Turkish club Besiktas.
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Steinar Nilsen
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(AC Milan, Italy), 26, 2 caps
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Made his debut
in the 0-0 draw against Colombia in late 1997. A fitness fanatic
who has gained valuable experience in Italy since transfer from
Tromso in 1997.
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Roger Nilsen
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(Sheffield United, England), 28, 31 caps
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Brother of Steinar Nilsen, with a powerful shot. Played
alongside his brother for the national team for the first time
in April against Denmark.
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Vegard Heggem
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(Rosenborg Trondheim), 22 (23 on July 17), 1 cap
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Fast, attacking right-back who scored on his debut in
Norway's 3-3 draw against France in February. One of the most
sought-after young players in Norway.
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Midfielders
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Lars Bohinen
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(Derby, England), 28, 48 caps
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An experienced,
inventive midfielder who was one of Norway's stars at the 1994
World Cup. Impressed with Nottingham Forest before a move to
Blackburn, where he struggled to hold a regular place. His 1.45
million pound ($2.4 million) switch to another English side,
Derby, has improved his chances of being a regular in France.
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Jostein Flo
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(Stromsgodset) 33, 44 caps
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Tall veteran who
combines aerial power with questionable technique. A mainstay of
World Cup squad in 1994 and brother of striker Tore Andre Flo.
Struggling for fitness after a foot operation
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Jahn Ivar Jakobsen
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(Rosenborg Trondheim), 32, 64 caps
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Mercurial player and joker off the pitch known as 'Mini' due
to his small size -- 1.68m. Flits in and out of games and has
been key to Rosenborg's good showings in Europe over recent
seasons.
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Oyvind Leonhardsen
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(Liverpool, England), 27, 55 caps
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A
tireless runner who is a favorite of coach Egil Olsen -- the
two made their debuts as trainer and player in the same game, a
6-1 home win over Cameroon in 1990. Moved from Wimbledon to
English rivals Liverpool last year but has not been conspicuous
at Anfield.
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Erik Mykland
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(Panathinaikos, Greece), 26 (27 on July 21), 52 caps
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Known as 'The Mosquito,' a creative player good at
opening up defenses with angled passes. Enjoys life in Greece,
where he plays with Norwegian striker Frank Strandli. Easily
recognizable from long unkempt hair and beard.
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Kjetil Rekdal
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(Hertha Berlin, Germany) 29, 64 caps
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Previously at Lierse in Belgium and French club Rennes before
move to Germany. Highly experienced with a powerful shot.
Expects to recover from a broken leg suffered in January in time
for France.
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Petter Rudi
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(Sheffield Wednesday, England), 24, 16 caps
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Gifted playmaker who combines deft passing with an accurate
shot. A former Molde player, he has impressed in the English
premier league this season.
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Bent Skammelsrud
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(Bayer Leverkusen, Germany), 31 (32 on May 18), 24 caps
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Dependable veteran planning to return to Rosenborg
Trondheim after a brief stay in Germany. Played in just two of
World Cup qualifiers but is expected to be in the squad.
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Stale Solbakken
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(Aalborg, Denmark), 30, 33 caps
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Good
playmaker and was top scorer in World Cup qualifying games with
four goals. Recently moved to Danish club Aalborg from Wimbledon
where he failed to hold a regular place.
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Roar Strand
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(Rosenborg Trondheim), 28, 3 caps
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Strong runner
and key player at Rosenborg but did not play in any World Cup
qualifiers. Was a non-playing member of the 1994 World Cup
squad.
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Forwards
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Player
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Team, Age, Caps
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Ole Gunnar Solskjaer
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(Manchester United, England), 25, 11 caps
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Former Molde player who has not been a regular for United
this season mainly due to a string of niggling injuries.
Possessing excellent control and touch, his choir-boy looks hide
a deadly eye for goal.
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Frank Strandli
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(Panathinaikos, Greece), 25 (26 on May 16), 21 caps
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Strong in the air but has scored just three goals for
the Norwegian team since his debut in 1992, including a penalty
against World Cup hosts France in a 3-3 draw in February.
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Egil Ostenstad
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(Southampton, England), 26, 11 caps
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Scored
in Norway's 4-2 win over Brazil in May 1997. Played in half of
the World Cup qualifying games, scoring once, but has struggled
to win a permanent place despite excellent performances at
Southampton, when not injured.
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Havard Flo
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(Werder Bremen, Germany), 28, 7 caps
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On the
fringes of the squad and cousin of brothers Jostein and Tore
Andre Flo.
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Tore Andre Flo
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(Chelsea, England), 24 (25 on June 15), 23 caps
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Norway's star forward, scored twice in 4-2 defeat of
Brazil last year. Tall at 1.93m with close control on either
foot, his general all-round ability provides a vital outlet for
Norway up front. Rated as 'among the best in the world' by
coach Olsen. Formerly with Brann Bergen, he has recently been
enjoying his best spell at Chelsea.
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