In a recent talk with Norwegian TV2, Egil “Drillo” Olsen says he has had enough. The 82 year old former Norwegian national coach, is frightened by football’s development. The story also quoted by Swedish national newspaper, Aftonbladet.
He is out on one of his daily walks with his dogs Keegan and Cafu. The dogs have barely had time to sit down, besides the bench “Drillo” is sitting on, before he vents his thoughts about the summer’s big highlight for all football fans. – There have been more disappointments than things to be happy about in the Euro’s. I am negative about what has happened to football in recent years, he says.
We return to what he believes is about to destroy what he has devoted his “entire” life to. But if you have already concluded that it is about VAR, then you are wrong. There is something else that annoys Drillo.
He continues, – of course it’s bitter to be Norwegian. The “football professor” took Norway to two World Cups in the 1990’s. This summer he has seen nations such as Georgia, Slovenia, Slovakia and Albania charm football fans from around the world. Like the rest of Norway, he thought that this was the summer he would finally get to see Norway in a championship again. – It is clear that it is bitter to be Norwegian and see that we are not in the Euro’s. We are actually good enough to join. So it is the case that a good deal of coincidence decides football matches, it is not just quality.
In the qualifications to the 1994 World Cup, Egil Olsen had an analytical approach and managed to win vital home games vs. Holland and England. England manager at the time ,Graham Taylor, was aware of Norway’s special approach, “The Flo Pass”, and to stop it, Gary Pallister was picked to man mark Jostein Flo, forgetting about the other players that made this Norwegian team much more than a longball affair. Goals from Lars Bohinen and Oyvind Leonhardsen, secured a 2-0 win for Norway. England players had to watch the World Cup in 1994 from the sofa as Norway and Holland made the finals.
The former Norwegian national coach is still seen as a top pundit, as his clear and direct style makes good television. He pinpoints the simplicity of the game, having no distractions from the two vitals, defending and attacking.
One of the teams he has followed most closely is Georgia. The nation that ended up behind Norway in the qualifiers, but made it to the Euro’s due to the Nations League. – I am still amazed that the defense organization is very poor in today’s football. I saw Georgia vs. Spain, I heard they play the “Drillo Way.” They are very keen on breakthroughs, but they are badly organized defensively, he says. Georgia is so special. They have been by far the most surprising. If they hadn’t had a good goalkeeper, they would have conceded seven or eight goals against Spain. Khvitsja Kvaratskhelia and Georgia sensationally made it to the round of 16 of the Euro’s, Spain became too strong there.
During the championship, Norwegian national team manager Ståle Solbakken and analyst Andrew Findlay took a closer look at this autumn’s Nations League opponents in Germany. Slovenia and Austria. Two nations that have both impressed. He has certainly seen that there are qualities in those teams.
– I’m pretty sure that Ståle will be well prepared for those matches.
Do you think Norway’s national team can learn something from the smaller nations, such as Georgia, Slovenia and Albania? No… Basically not. Ståle and I reasonably agree on how to defend. He is one of the few who tries to play zone in midfield and defence. But offensively, I probably disagree a little with Ståle. He is a fan of more possession than I am. I don’t think that Norway is good enough to exploit Haaland’s speed. I don’t think we get enough out of our stars, says Drillo.
That is why he is fed up: – I can’t take it anymore, So back to what Drillo believes is about to destroy football. I reckon it’s VAR that annoys you? VAR has its pluses and minuses. Then Drillo takes a long sigh.
The worst thing I have seen in football in recent years is the hand rule. It punishes innocent players time and time again. I don’t understand the players not using their voice and taking action. I am also tired of delaying time and filming. The judges haven’t been good enough to do anything about it. These things are ruining football. Now the breaks are over, now it’s time to inhale and exhale.
Watch the Denmark match. There was so much stuff… It was perfectly fine as it was before, that it was punishable if the arm sought the ball, and that it was not necessarily punishable if the ball hit the arm. Now you can’t have your arm out from your body anymore. How is it natural to have your arms in a football game? It’s not natural to run around with them close to your body, anyway. I can’t stand the rule anymore.
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