Expert warns Norway was exposed on penalties before World Cup shootout training

As the World Cup enters its knockout rounds, Norway is actively preparing for the possibility of penalty shootouts, a scenario that could decide their fate.

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We started a bit last week and started in earnest today.

Coach Ståle Solbakken confirmed that the team began practicing penalty kicks last week and intensified their efforts on Saturday. He highlighted the challenge of preparing players who might not start the match but could be called upon for penalties, especially with the allowance of extra substitutions in extra time.

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We have to think one step further. Many of those who necessarily have to take penalties are perhaps not those who start the match.

However, an expert in penalty kick psychology, Geir Jordet, noted that he has not been involved with the Norwegian team's preparation. Jordet, who has researched and worked with various teams on penalty shootouts, suggested that larger nations are often more accustomed to such high-pressure situations and approach them differently.

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It's difficult to train for, but we do the best we can.

This comes after Jørgen Strand Larsen missed a penalty against France, a moment Jordet indicated was preceded by analysis of the player. Solbakken admitted that while they study and prepare, replicating the intense pressure of a shootout in front of thousands of fans after 120 minutes of play is extremely difficult.

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I have not worked with Ståle or the team. They have not asked me about it, which I perhaps hoped and thought could have been relevant.