Nicholas Mickelson played for Norway – now he has replaced Haaland with Thailand – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule

– When I’m in Norway, I feel like a foreigner. When I’m in Thailand, I feel like a foreigner, says Nicholas Mickelson with a smile to news. He has actually found himself in a special football situation. Growing up, Skiensguten was in all age-specific national teams for Norway, but has now chosen to represent Thailand in the Asian Championship, where his team has progressed from the group stage and will meet Uzbekistan in the round of 16 on Tuesday. IMPRESS: Thailand is doing well at the Asian Championships. Photo: AP So how did we end up here? We have to rewind a bit. Mickelson quickly became an important player for Strømsgodset and the experts predicted a bright career for the youngster. But a serious Achilles injury in 2019 kept him out for well over a year. After the injury, the defender’s career took an unexpected turn. In August 2021, he chose to leave Strømsgodset and sign for Danish Odense. news talks to the 24-year-old while he is in Qatar, where he represents Thailand in the Asian Championship. Mickelson played every minute in the first two group stage matches for Thailand, who made it past the group stage of the Asian Championship and were ready for the playoffs even before the final group stage match against Saudi Arabia. Opted out of Norway But how did he end up on the Thai national team? The Norwegian was contacted when Thailand qualified for the U-23 Asian Championship. – They wanted to invest there, and then they started contacting all those who were half Thai, and then half one or the other, he says. Then the defender had to make a choice: Either work to fit into the Norwegian national team or accept the offer to represent Thailand. – I thought it was actually quite difficult to fit into the Norwegian national team. There are many good players in many big clubs, he says. POSING: Mickelson with the Norwegian national team uniform a few years ago. Photo: BILDBYRÅN Now that he has played a number of matches for Thailand, the rules state that he is not allowed to represent several national teams. Thus, the door to playing for Norway is closed. Mickelson has played with several names that characterize Norwegian national football today. Among others, Erling Braut Haaland and Martin Ødegaard. – Haaland was a monster, the Thailand pro was at several meetings with Norway’s leading football profile. – Haaland was something else, he was a monster when we played together, he remembers. Mickelson was one of the players selected to represent Norway during the U20 WC in Poland in 2019, where Haaland was recognized after scoring nine goals in one game against Honduras. GOAL MACHINE: Erling Braut Haaland scored nine against Honduras in 2019 Photo: NTB Mickelson had to withdraw from the championship due to injury, but realized early on that the Jærbow would succeed. – I actually saw quite early on that he was going to be something special. How serious he was even when he was younger. I could see in the training sessions that he was a beast, he says. Want to play the World Cup before Norway Even if the Norwegian has in a way been “forgotten” in Norwegian football, the ambitions are nevertheless sky-high. – I am quite happy to dream. My goal is to play for a club in the top 5 leagues in the world. Something I think is possible, says the Odense player. WAS PART: Mickelson played for a long time on the Norwegian U national team. Photo: BILDBYRÅN NORWAY Ambitions are also high for hard-hitting Thailand. The country has never played in a World Cup final, but is doing well during the Asian Championship this year. – The goal for Thailand is to get to the WC. – Do you think you will play a World Cup final before Norway? – Yes, I think everything is possible. I think Norway will also win a championship soon, they will, he says. Walks five kilometers on one ski after a clumsy fall 00:59 Girlfriend pays tribute to Ruud after X Games gold: – I was completely shaking 00:37 Mowinckel: – I’m shocked! 00:41 Demonstrators occupied the target area in Schladming 00:41 Show more



ttn-69