OMM Newsroom
Former Norway goalkeeper Erik Thorstvedt played for Viking and Tottenham and was part of his country’s squad at the 1994 World Cup. In an interview with AZERTAC, he discussed Viking’s UEFA Champions League debut, Sabah’s performances and the teams’ upcoming match.
Thorstvedt described the club’s rise to this level after playing in Norway’s second division in 2018 as significant progress. He said Baku-based Sabah’s progress was all the more impressive given that the club was founded in 2017. He also said Norwegian football had made notable progress over the past seven to eight years.
Sabah’s style of play
The Norwegian goalkeeper said he had watched many of Sabah’s matches and had been positively impressed by the team. In his view, the way they move the ball forward is somewhat reminiscent of Bodo/Glimt. The team has a clear football philosophy and remained true to its identity even when playing Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Thorstvedt said Sabah sometimes struggled to finish attacks when approaching the opposition penalty area, giving opponents chances to score. Nevertheless, he said he enjoyed watching the Azerbaijani club.
Match prediction
Thorstvedt said Viking’s main advantage was that they rarely lose in Stavanger. He noted that even Bayern had been unable to win there, adding that the artificial turf could help the Norwegian club. Viking lost 3-2 away to Bodo/Glimt on Friday. Thorstvedt called that match tense and exciting and said the team had time to recover.
He said he expected a fantastic atmosphere at the Stavanger stadium and that visiting fans would also be warmly welcomed. Although Thorstvedt believes this is Viking’s best chance to secure a Champions League victory, he said the match would not be easy. He predicted a 2-1 win for Viking.
Context
According to information published on November 2, 2026, Viking became Norwegian champions after a 34-year wait.
