– I don’t see any arrangements, and that disappoints me greatly, says Molde coach Erling Moe to news. On Thursday, it is time for European night for Molde again, where they will try to make it to the playoffs in the Europa League. In the second half, initially, tough opposition awaits in Belgian Cercle Brugge, but Molde has a dream result from the first game with a 3-0 victory in the bank. Nevertheless, the Molde boss expresses a concern for a tight match schedule, which consists of both European games and a medal match in the Eliteserien. He lacks facilitation from the Norwegian Top Football Association (NTF) and the Football Association (NFF). – Because then I feel that there are only empty words and speeches. It’s too bad when we talk about the health of Norwegian football, says Moe. FRUSTRATED: Erling Moe claims he has given a clear message to the football leaders about what he thinks about the calendar. Photo: Thomas Andersen / NTB Reacting to match relocation He comes to news with a sigh of relief. – And it is, of course, that we cannot be arranged in the way we want. Now we get to move it, and we had planned our battle rhythm in that period here in one way. And then the association and Norwegian Top Football come and change it a week or two before we enter the period. I am disappointed that it is not better arranged when they say that the team that is in Europe should be given priority, says Moe. Last Thursday they therefore played the first match against Cercle Brugge, before they met Lillestrøm away on Sunday and play the return match against Cercle Brugge this Thursday. Unlike Tromsø and Brann, who also play European qualifiers on these two Thursdays, Molde did not have a free game last weekend. Molde’s match program in August: Thursday 8 August: Cercle Brugge at home (3-0 win) Sunday 11 August: Lillestrøm away (2-1 win) Thursday 15 August: Cercle Brugge away Thursday 22 August: 1st playoff game in Europe Sunday 25 August: HamKam at home Thursday 29 August: 2nd playoff game in Europe Sunday 1 September: Rosenborg away Moldensarane instead have this weekend off, since the away game against Kristiansund had to be postponed due to poor pitch conditions in Kristiansund. As a result, dates beyond the autumn where postponed matches can be played are starting to run out, something which meant that Molde’s wish and original plan to postpone the match against HamKam in a week and a half – the weekend between the playoff matches for European games – went down the drain. – Then you can say that Kristiansund has a ruined football pitch, and that means we cannot play that match. And then we will play against HamKam, who we had intended to move. It does something to the sanity when we have prepared ourselves since early this year, that they will come in and change here at the end, says an irritated Moe. MOLDE IN EUROPE: The Molde players celebrate a goal in the 3-0 win over Cercle Brugge last week. Photo: Frederik Ringnes / NTB This is how NTF and NFF respond news has been in contact with NTF chief Jens Haugland. He shares his frustration with Moe, but at the same time claims that they have done everything they can to facilitate Molde and other teams that will play matches in Europe. – I fully understand that he stands up for the team before matches, which means a lot to Molde and Norwegian football. It is a difficult topic, because we have a track in Kristiansund that was completely destroyed this summer and it is difficult to find optimal solutions in the calendar. We just have to bear hearing that criticism, says Haugland. Haugland says that they looked at various options to move Kristiansund towards Molde to another track, but that none of the options were optimal. – We tried to find a solution by playing in Ålesund, but there is a festival there. We have worked intensely to make it happen. ANSWER: CEO of Norwegian Top Football Jens Haugland understands the frustration of the club scene in Europe. Photo: Fredrik Varfjell / NTB Director of Competitions in the Norwegian Football Association (NFF), Nils Fisketjønn, says that they are trying to make arrangements for the team that will go to Uefa tournaments. – We can certainly do more, but it must be discussed and anchored with the other clubs, says Fisketjønn to news. He explains the last-minute adjustment as follows: – It comes from the fact that Kristiansund does not have a home ground and does not want him in order before 1 September. One of the matches that must be postponed is Kristiansund against Molde. If Molde is also to postpone the match against HamKam, there will be no dates to play it on unless the entire series is to be postponed by a week, says Fisketjønn. – I do not agree Although Haugland understands Moe’s criticism, he nevertheless disagrees that it is only “empty words and speeches” from NTF. – Coaches who report on behalf of their own teams are good, we have to tolerate that. I do not agree that we do not have great adaptation. We spend a lot of energy on behalf of the league and want to show that the European campaigns are important. We try to translate that into action for the game plans. But we just have to accept the criticism, says Haugland. It is not unknown that the calendar is perceived to be a bit tight when one team plays in Europe. Bodø/Glimt manager Kjetil Knutsen has also previously come out strongly against the program and the arrangements. THE GLIMT COACH: Kjetil Knutsen. Photo: Carina Johansen / NTB – We have always looked forward to these periods, but I also have to be a bit honest, as I like to be. It’s that I’m worried about the state of the group now, because when we played against Odd last time, there were 17 of us in the squad, he told Avisa Nordland at the end of July. Moe also points out that he has complained about this on several occasions. – I think those who are in those positions are aware of what I mean. It is too bad that they do not say that it should be invested. We must improve. We are going to Europe, there will be group games and there will be a national team that is in the championship. Confronted with the response of NTF and NFF in this case, Moe replies: – They completely agree with me that this is far too bad for the parties involved. Published 15.08.2024, at 15.00 Updated 15.08.2024, at 15.01
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Molde coach Erling Moe turns against Norwegian Top Football and the Norwegian Football Association – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
