England quarter-final special for Norway and their Keegan-loving coach

Norway's coach Stale Solbakken holds a deep admiration for English football, a sentiment he will carry into the World Cup quarter-final against England.

Ahead of the match, Solbakken sent his best wishes to Kevin Keegan, the former England captain and manager, whom he described as his childhood hero. Solbakken shared that his greatest regret in World Cup history involves Keegan failing to score a crucial goal against Spain in 1982. "My biggest regret in World Cup history is that Kevin Keegan didn't score when he came on against Spain in 1982," Solbakken told reporters. "He was my big hero, so I hope Kevin is good. I heard that he's a little bit sick. I hope he's good because he was my big hero."

Norway's passion for English football dates back to 1969 when weekly English league games began broadcasting, creating a lasting connection. This has led to many Norwegians following English clubs, from major teams like Liverpool and Manchester United to those prominent in the 1970s such as Wolverhampton Wanderers and Ipswich Town.

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My biggest regret in World Cup history is that Kevin Keegan didn't score when he came on against Spain in 1982. He was my big hero, so I hope Kevin is good. I heard that he's a little bit sick. I hope he's good because he was my big hero.

"I think Brazil and England are maybe the two biggest nations we could meet in this World Cup in terms of the history," Solbakken said. "Everyone in Norway who has followed English football has a team or a favourite player, and that makes it maybe a little bit special tomorrow because ... it was one game on the telly and everyone had a team they followed very closely. So my team was obviously Liverpool, but Kevin was my man. So I say hello to Kevin. Fight on."

Despite this affinity, Solbakken assured that Norway, having already eliminated five-time champions Brazil, would show no favoritism towards England. The article also recalls a famous post-match rant by Norwegian commentator Bjorge Lillelien after a 1981 qualifier win against England, which famously targeted then-Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

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I think Brazil and England are maybe the two biggest nations we could meet in this World Cup in terms of the history. Everyone in Norway who has followed English football has a team or a favourite player, and that makes it maybe a little bit special tomorrow because ... it was one game on the telly and everyone had a team they followed very closely. So my team was obviously Liverpool, but Kevin was my man. So I say hello to Kevin. Fight on.