Northern Ireland v Norway Official Match Programme

LIVEWIRE ATTACKER The 5ft 11ins striker joined Hull City in the summer of 2015 from Stabaek where he notched 17 goals in 21 matches. Born in Oslo, his parents are from the Ivory Coast. His talent was spotted early and he made his senior debut for Lyn Oslo aged 18. Moved to Stromsgodset in 2012, playing in a league winning team in 2013. Then had a season with Dinamo Minsk in Belarus where he refined his goalscoring skills, returning to Norway with Stabaek and also winning his first international cap when he came on as a late sub for Joshua King against Azerbaijan in a Euro 2016 qualifier in June 2015 (0-0) in Oslo - his only appearance in the Euro 2016 qualifiers. Following Hull’s promotion he made his Premier League debut in August 2016 as a 77th minute sub, scoring a superbly executed overhead kick in a 2–1 defeat of reigning champions Leicester City. He scored his first international goal against San Marino back in October - in a 4-1 victory in a WC 2018 qualifier. Has played in all four of his country’s WC 2018 qualifiers to date, twice coming on as a sub. ENGINE ROOM STALWART The 6ft 3ins teak-tough defensive midfielder joined West Ham last summer from Bundesliga club Borussia Monchengladbach, with whom he had spent the previous five and a half years, playing mostly as the central player in a three-man defence. At the age of 16 he was playing for FK Haugesund in the second level of Norwegian football. In 2007 he moved to Arsenal for £1.5m, becoming captain of the reserve team. Had loan spells with Salamanca (Spain), Lillestrom (NOR) and Nuremberg (GER) before signing for Monchengladbach in December 2010 for a fee of £800,000. Became a regular and captained the team on several occasions. Made his international debut in June 2011 in a friendly against Lithuania, as a second half sub, and won his third cap in the 3-0 friendly win against Northern Ireland in Belfast in February 2012. He scored the first goal on 44 minutes. Played in seven Euro 2016 qualifiers, scoring against Azerbaijan away. Played in one game of the WC 2018 qualifiers in September when Norway lost 3-0 at home to Germany, otherwise he has been on the bench. Has made 12 first team appearances for West Ham this season. NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Talented teenager Sander Berge is strongly tipped to make his senior debut for Norway this evening. The 6ft 3ins midfielder signed for top Belgian club KRC Genk from Valerengen last winter and has been a regular fixture in the first team since then, in both the Belgian Juliper League as well as the Europa League. Strong in the air, and equally proficient with either foot, his passes are inch perfect. Plays a vital central role in the midfield trio for Genk. He is intelligent and composed with a maturity beyond his years. “It would be impossible not to select him,” said Lars Lagerback at the Norway squad announcement for the game against Northern Ireland, dropping a very strong hint that Berge would start the WC qualifier in Belfast. He caught the eye of Lagerback when he played his first - and perhaps only - U21 game for Norway in September last year against England. Although Norway lost that game in Colchester 6-1, Berge impressed the new head coach with his all- round play.

ADAMA DIOMANDE FORWARD

Club Hull City

Age 26

Caps 10

Goals 1

HÅVARD NORDTVEIT MIDFIELDER

Age 26 Goals 2 Club West Ham United Caps 29

SANDER BERGE MIDFIELDER Club KRC Genk

Age 19

Caps 0

Goals 0

35

www.irishfa.com