After knocking out KÍ Klaksvík in nerve-wracking extra time, there is only one team left before Molde achieves what they have been dreaming of since the 90s. To get to European games in the independent Meisterliga. On Wednesday, Galatasaray SK from Europe’s biggest city, Istanbul, is in Molde. The Turkish supporters are known to be particularly enthusiastic. The fans can have such a high decibel level that they took the world record for the loudest audience roar in 2011, before an American football team beat them again. The city prepares for battle In addition to the noise level, there have also been riots around the Galatasaray supporters in the past, such as against Marseilles in 2021 and Besiktas in 2013. The head of security at Aker Stadion in Molde is Arve Tovan. They expect over a thousand away supporters to attend the match. – We saw in the cards early on that we could risk meeting them. Our analyzes indicate that there are no risk supporters coming. Most of them come from Scandinavia and especially Norway, says Tovan. The supporters were ready when the Turkish players came to Molde on Tuesday. Photo: Roar Strøm / news One of the Galatasaray supporters going to the match is Yasin Unal from Trondheim. – They can be intense, but we also have match routines which ensure that we adhere to the regulations. So we look forward to the match and are happy, says Unal. The police are providing extra staff Nevertheless, there have been several weeks of preparations to ensure a good plan for security. Among other things, they have had to collect several away supporters who had bought tickets on the website, for fear of not getting a ticket. – We make contingency plans and we have a meeting with the police. And we have a meeting with representatives from UEFA. The head of security in Molde, Arve Tovan, believes there should not be a particularly high risk of rioting during Wednesday’s Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news The police say they have planned the match day well since it became clear that Molde would face Galatasaray. – We have a lot of experience with such matches from previous years. There must be enough crew tonight so that it will be a good experience for everyone. We think it will be, but we are ready to handle what will happen, says project manager Kjersti Vestavik. Had to close comment field A week ago, the club had to close its comment field due to tremendous pressure from Galatasaray supporters. Among other things, they wished Molde welcome to hell. Molde coach Erling Moe responded to the comment at a press conference on Tuesday: – When the Turkish supporters say welcome to hell before we go to Turkey, we in Molde say welcome to heaven. Molde coach Erling Moe (th) and player Martin Ellingsen. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news Medan The Galatasaray coach explained why it could be challenging when Molde come to Istanbul for the return match next week. – Our supporters are fantastic. In the home games, they are very effective, especially when we press the opposing team, says coach Okan Buruk. Full hotels Already the day after Molde knocked out Klaksvik in the qualifiers last week, all the hotels in Molde were fully booked for 23 to 24 August. The tickets for tonight’s match were also sold out in a short time. – The pressure has been great. It couldn’t be particularly higher. There is enormous interest, both from Turkish supporters and from MFK supporters, says marketing director at Molde Football Club Per Eikrem. Molde FK is preparing here to take on strong Turkish opposition on Wednesday evening. Photo: Marius André Jenssen Stenberg / news Gambling for millions If Molde were to beat Galatasaray, the team will receive up to NOK 200 million for the championship participation, in addition to a sprinkling of money for the other elite league teams. – I haven’t thought too much about this money. The most important thing for me is that we moved on. In a football club, there is always enough to spend money on, said Molde coach Erling Moe at the press conference after the home game against Klaksvik in the first round.
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MFK ready to welcome some of the world’s loudest football fans
