– I received a phone call yesterday so I’m ready before today’s withdrawal. I was a little surprised, Emilie Haavi told NRK.

He has great desire to be part of the EC squad for Norway. On Monday, he received a message that shattered his EC dreams.

– I still stick to the fact that I did what I could, so it’s the opinion of the man that has something to say in that situation. “It’s awkward, but I have to respect his choice, so I can disagree with that,” Haavi said.

After years of being an LSK woman, she stepped into Europe and to Rome. The winter has been marred by injuries, but returning to the pitch he himself feels that he has something to contribute to EC.

– I have worked hard, now I can participate and then you sit down and are very disappointed.

The forward has 92 games for the national team and is now unsure how the road will continue for Norway.

– I don’t think it’s a decision I have to make now, but it could be the last thing I do in the national team. “Of course it’s kind of sad to think about when you’ve been part of that team for 12 years and played almost 100 games,” said Haavi.

Top scorer destroyed

Thorsnes has bagged goals for Vålerenga this season and is the top scorer at Toppserien.

– It’s always been like this with players who were close to joining, who had hopes of joining, but then you weren’t selected, and of course you were disappointed. It was a completely natural reaction, but Elise took it in a good way, said Sjögren of the disappearance of the veteran, who is registered with 130 national team games.

Thorsnes said he got a call about the accident from Sjögren yesterday. He was sure the message was not surprising.

– I’m really ready for it. I took it very well. I realized that when we were in the Algarve Cup and got a little bit of playing time. When Ada also came back, I realized that nothing would happen. That doesn’t come as a surprise.

The 33-year-old added that it is better for a young player to get a chance than he, as a veteran, may be destined for a role on the bench.

– I myself feel I have performed and performed well. But if I’m not going to get a central role then it’s better for them to bring in young players. When you start to get to my age, it’s better to realize that other people can enjoy championships like that.

Get expert role

Despite the accident, Thorsnes traveled to England – as an expert for NRK.

– This will be great. Been around since mid-April. I had commented on the national team for NRK a little earlier and it had been a long time since I had been selected.

– I’m not too disappointed, I can do something that’s at least as fun. “Had I been 20 years old, and had never been in a championship before, it would have been a different matter,” he added.

The manager of the national team revealed that they have a list of seven reserves in case something happens to a player in the squad.

– There’s still a chance if something happens. Elise is on that list. Had a few phone calls yesterday. It’s big enough, and it’s to cover in all positions. There are currently seven on that list. You never know what will happen.

Medal target

At a press conference at the Ullevaal stadium, Sjögren selected 20 outfield players and three goalkeepers for the play-offs in England in July. Together, the Swede has national team captain Maren Mjelde with him.

Both Sjögren and Mjelde are clear about their ambitions for the championship.

– We have set ambitious goals for medals. “Setting difficult goals is part of what motivates us,” Mjelde told a news conference.

– “We think it is an ambitious goal, but it is an optimistic and realistic goal if we achieve everything,” said Sjögren.

Back in the championship squad is Ada Hegerberg. Sjögren is clear that the medal target is due in part to the return of the star striker.

– Yes, I think that’s a factor, and if we look at the daily life that many players have now, compared to what it looked like three years ago and before the last EC, then there’s a pretty big difference. We have players at some of the best clubs in Europe.

Two without international matches

Sophie Roman Haug (Roma) and Anna Jøsendal (RBK) are new additions to the squad.

– Sophie is a player who has extreme skills in her boxing game. And on top of that with a head game. He did a very good collection with the U23s in April at the latest. When he scored three goals against Portugal. He’s fine in Rome. He doesn’t play much, but he scores goals when he does.

– Jøsendal has been damaged a lot in the past. Made a great collection when he was with us last year. We imagine him as a wing back and a left winger. “Good players that we really trust,” said Sjögren of the two players signed by the national team.

Goalkeeper’s dilemma

There is still great uncertainty about who will be Norway’s first goalkeeper during the championship. The departure of Cecilie Fiskerstrand made the management of the national team dizzy.

Aurora Mikalsen, Guro Pettersen and Sunniva Skoglund were the goalkeepers sent off. In total, the trio have two international matches to feature.

– It’s no secret that Cecile is our number one. The three we have here are good alternatives to standing in the championship.

– All three have had good periods at the club recently. We’ll see, but he’s most likely the one who starts on June 25, who starts the game against Northern Ireland, said Sjögren of the situation.

• The EC play-offs are held in the UK from 6 to 31 July. Norway are in a group with Austria, Northern Ireland and hosts England. You can watch the match on NRK and TV 2.