Norway Aiming For Gold
Team Norway will be looking to equal if not better last year’s number #3 finish. We take a look at who will have the opportunity to represent their nation at this year’s NationCup.
Norway excelled themselves last year with a bronze medal finish and will be hoping to do better this year. They had a strong line-up and went out to Team Netherlands who ended up 2nd.
Last year saw the likes of Naikon, OmeN, r00fz, KF3 & stingeR play for their nation, however only one of these 4 players remain, will they be able to achieve what they want?This year we see the following join the Norwegian squad:
Stian "eVERLAST" Solheim (Team Captain)
I had a short interview with the team manager, Geir “Layer” Norli , to see his thoughts and view on the upcoming NationCup XI, and here is what he had to say:
What are Team Norway's expectations for NationCup XI after a bronze medal finish last year?
This year our expectations are simply to win. The previous season we didn’t have time for proper preparations before the final matches, but this year we feel really confident on giving a much better performance, which hopefully will end up with us taking home the gold medal!
This year we see eVERLAST, ooPS, REAL, juve9le, prb, noLA, stingeR, syrtekz and t0s grace the Norwegian roster, what did you look for in each player before making the decision of selection?
Well for this season there have been some changes, especially considering the Captain role where eVERLAST now has been given the responsibility to pick the players that will make us win. Last year we had a few upcoming talents in our roster (mixed feelings about that) but now we think we have the best players possible to represent Norway in this Nations Cup. We just got to have faith in them getting into shape before the important matches start, so we can unleash the true potential of this team when it’s getting serious.
Only one member from last year's semi finalists remains, why is this? Do you think you have picked a better squad this year?
First of all some of the players we used last year had retired or has done it now, or they couldn’t play in Nations Cup for various reasons. This year we have players like REAL and oops back on our team, which will make us a huge threat for the title. Secondly I and eVERLAST have different opinions when it comes to who should be on the team and not, but the main reason is that I couldn’t get all the players I wanted to play last season, while this time we will hopefully have all our first-choices on the server.
You say that there are "different opinions," It sounds as if there are a few problems within the Norwegian management. What is going on? Could it jeopardisethe team's chances?
Within the management there are no problems, we are both very happy with the players we ended up with, but as you have noticed there are some people that wants to have other players to the team. There will always be discussions when a national team is presented, and some people will be left out that in some eyes deserved a spot, but as I said we are satisfied with the team and are really hoping for great support from the Norwegian community
KF3 was a key part of last year's success, why has he not been chosen this year?
He has had a break from CS and I don’t know if he plays serious or not at the moment. Of course it is a possibility he might get added later on but that’s up to the G.
The Danish team do not take the Clanbase NationCup seriously, what are your opinions of it?
Actually that was the same problem I had last season. I know the prizes can’t be compared to other big tournaments, but playing for the motherland is something every player that gets chosen should take seriously, or give the spot to someone else. This time I hope we will have a team that shows up in time, are ready for each match, and put up a good showing so we don’t let our country or fans down ;)
There we have it, an optimistic Norwegian team, though with a tiny bit of conflict over their current line-up and missing some of last year’s major names. Clanbase NationCup XI kicks off tomorrow with the qualifiers and the group drawings, so make sure you tune into HLTV.org for all the updates!