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Ahead of the biggest soccer match in the country’s history, Norway had to make some last-minute logistical changes.
Norway is set to face England for a spot in the World Cup semifinals at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens on Saturday, but the Norway players apparently were not getting much rest.
According to The Independent, players requested a hotel change due to “noise and disruption from the road outside their original hotel as well as a nearby construction site.”
The team had been staying at the Dalmar Hotel in Fort Lauderdale but has now moved to a hotel even closer to the stadium.
“It is brutal having to move, but we are satisfied with the new place and everyone is happy now,” a team rep told Fox News Digital.
“Some people might fear that this will affect the players, but it was the players who wanted this more than anyone else. We have strong people in our support team and managed to move in two-and-a-half hours. The process of changing hotel is not ideal, but we wanted to take action as soon as possible. Having a good atmosphere is most important.
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“We are going to stay for a week in Miami, and we have now been for six weeks in the United States and we are going to play in the biggest match in Norwegian history. We have avoided cabin fever so far and don’t want any risk of it now. FIFA have accepted that we must move to another hotel.”
The Independent said that FIFA agreed to pay for 50 rooms and security at the new hotel, while the Norwegian Football Association will pay for any extra charges to accommodate the hotel switch.
Norway has been carried by Erling Haaland, who scored two second-half goals on Sunday to put Norway past Brazil in the Round of 16.
Players on the team have also been dealing with an illness in recent days.
This is just the fourth time Norway has played in the World Cup and its first since 1998, but this team has won over its country. This is the first time it has advanced past the Round of 16.
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