Norwegian dream run: HSV keeper Tangvik close to World Cup debut! | OneFootball

Norway has impressed at the ongoing World Cup and will face England in the quarter-finals. Sander Tangvik is also part of the squad.

The goalkeeper, who moved from Trondheim to Hamburg in the winter for a fee of around €2.5 million, is the only player in the squad yet to make an appearance. Given his role as number three, playing time was unrealistic from the outset. Tangvik nearly ended up between the posts, though. “I was very close to coming on,” he said in an interview with HSV’s club media.

He was referring to the final group match against France (1-4), when national team coach Stale Solbakken heavily rotated and changed his starting XI in no fewer than ten positions. Egil Selvik started in goal in place of Örjan Nyland. The backup keeper needed treatment during the match, which meant Tangvik had already warmed up. In the end, Selvik finished the game before Nyland returned for the knockout stage.

Photo: IMAGO

Tangvik: World Cup call-up after HSV debut

Thanks to wins over Ivory Coast and Brazil — with the now 35-year-old Nyland playing a decisive role with sensational saves — Norway reached the quarter-finals. Another strong opponent awaits there on Saturday evening (11:00 p.m. live on MagentaTV). Tangvik still believes they can go through: “England are a great team, they are very well organised. They are the favourites, but we still have a good chance of beating them. We have proven that we can make things difficult for any opponent.”

The 23-year-old himself will once again watch from the bench, but he was still very pleased with how the tournament has gone so far, especially since he only jumped aboard the World Cup train at the very last moment: “It’s a crazy story to be part of this World Cup journey and this team. For me, a dream has come true.” Tangvik’s HSV debut may have had a decisive influence. In the 1-1 draw in Leverkusen on the final Bundesliga matchday, he impressed across the board and even saved a penalty. Four days later, Solbakken called him up after previously not considering him for the internationals.

Nur die Raute – by HSV fans for HSV fans

Given Nyland’s advanced footballing age, Tangvik could take on a bigger role in the highly talented Norway squad built around superstar Erling Haaland in the future. Solbakken had already offered high praise when calling him up: “We chose Sander because we believe he will become our next great goalkeeper.”

To be able to serve as number one, Tangvik needs regular playing time. That is not guaranteed at HSV. He will therefore once again compete with Daniel Heuer Fernandes, who is coming off a strong previous season, during summer pre-season — and try to earn a regular spot in the national team through his performances at club level.

Photo: IMAGO

This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇩🇪 here.