– It had been incredibly fun – VG

– It’s not me who makes the decision, but if I had called up “Perry” (Per Joar Hansen, assistant coach of the Norwegian national team journal.anm.), It would have been incredibly fun. And in that case I’m ready, says Morten Gamst Pedersen by phone to VG.

– It would have been great, but it’s a special situation. Everything is special now.

The man with the deadly left foot, better known as “Gamsten”, has turned 39, but is still actively playing, for Alta in the PostNord league. He made his debut for the Norwegian national team in a private international match against Northern Ireland in 2004. He scored two goals in his first international match and won a total of 83 matches with the flag on his chest.

Now he could imagine playing 84th, six years after the last.

Possible “national emergency team”

If you get a chance, you are still in the blue. There have been some hectic, chaotic and dramatic days for the Norwegian national team and the Norwegian Football Association.

It all started on Wednesday earlier this week, when Norway’s planned private international match against Israel was canceled after a player from the Israeli national team tested positive for the coronavirus.

Two days later, on Friday, Vice Captain Omar Elabdellaoui was diagnosed with the coronavirus. This led to the cancellation of the Norwegian Nations League match against Romania on Sunday.

Next Wednesday, the Norwegian team is scheduled to face Austria at home, and that match can will still be played. NFF is considering fielding an “emergency national team”, made up of players who are not yet on the Norwegian national team.

The NFF is in the process of contacting the players for an “emergency national team.”

“Gamsten” emphasizes to VG that “what we are doing now is fantasizing”, but does not hide that it is tempting.

– I had lined up, taken the quarantine and everything that goes with it. Of course, I respect the coronavirus. But it would have been incredibly fun.

– I had not finished

Gamsten’s 83rd and (so far) last international game came in a 2-0 loss to Italy in 2014. He doesn’t hide the fact that he misses the national soccer team.

– If you have been part of it, there is nothing more fun. But I am at the end of my football career, I may only have five or six years left, says Gamst Pedersen, and he laughs well.

– I have been very lucky and have been able to experience a lot on the court. It is a dream for many, and far from everyone he achieves it. Playing international matches, meeting the best … It’s fun. It’s something extra.

But what could “Gamsten” have contributed if he had the opportunity to form an “emergency national team” against Austria?

– At least I have a lot of routine. There is no doubt about that. The left foot still works well and my knowledge of football is good. But of course, there are many other good players who have a lot to contribute, he says.

-But it elevates you to have good players around me, so I was not finished, I think, he adds.

However, he is aware that the jump from level three in Norway to national team football is great.

– It is a jump, of that there is no doubt. But if they call, then … My God, why not?

Age is said to be just a number, and “Gamsten” says that the body still functions well. And he is, like so many others, inspired by the same age as Zlatan Ibrahimovic in Serie A.

– It’s unique. What you are doing is insane. He is an army commander and has an aura around him.

– In terms of body and training, we have many similarities. So we have different physiques, but I think we both got a lot from the work that has been done off the field, says “Gamsten”.

A veteran who is ready to help the national team there, if the phone rings.