Recently, Solbakken's father, Sven Solbakken, was interviewed by Norwegian media outlet VG. He also looked ahead to the upcoming World Cup Round of 16 match, in which his son will lead Norway against Brazil.
Sven Solbakken, father of Norway coach Ståle Solbakken, said his son calls almost every other day during the World Cup. Even amid the intensity of the tournament, the 58-year-old national team coach often makes time to speak with his father, who lives in Grue Kirkenær.
— "Is it very moving?"
"Yes, very touching and heartwarming. He always stays in touch, and now his wife, Anikken, and daughter, Ida, have also come to the United States," said the elder Solbakken.
Since his mother, Mona, passed away from Alzheimer's a year and a half ago, Ståle has been in more frequent contact with his father.
"Previously, we mainly talked about football, but after his mother passed away, we also started talking about everyday life. The things he used to discuss with his mother, he now tells me," Ståle Solbakken told VG.
The bond between father and son is also reflected in their lives – Ståle drives about an hour and a half from Hamar to visit his father more often than before, and they have maintained the habit of speaking almost every other day. Even though he is now in the United States, this routine continues.
However, nowadays, the topic of football is clearly more prominent.
"Yes, most of the time, it’s about the matches. He asks me what I think of the games. But we usually agree; occasionally, there might be one or two disagreements about the starting lineup, but I don’t pressure him. The final decision is his to make," his father said with a smile.
"So, you didn't agree with his decision to rotate 10 players against France?"
"I thought to myself: 'Oh my goodness,'" his father replied.
"He is going to be criticized by the media now. There were 35,000 people at Ullevaal Stadium and many fans who bought tickets, but he fielded a B-team. However, things calmed down later, and I think everyone eventually understood his decision."
Sven Solbakken himself played 550 official matches for Grue IL and also coached the team, becoming one of the key coaches in his son's early football career. He has long followed Norwegian and English football and has had a profound influence on his son's career.
In recent days, Ståle Solbakken's voice has been somewhat hoarse. The night after defeating Côte d'Ivoire, he slept for only 2 to 3 hours.
"I can tell he's a little tired and has a slight cough. He's been very dedicated, but he needs a good rest after the World Cup," his father said.
"Do you think he can last the entire World Cup?"
"Of course, no problem. But the World Cup is very demanding; you need to be in very good shape to last more than a month, with a press conference every two days."
"Is he in good physical condition?"
"Quite good; he pays attention to exercise and runs on the treadmill."
From the roadside in Kirkenær to the village, banners are hung everywhere, expressing pride in Solbakken and assistant coach Kent Bergersen. The small town even hosted a national team training camp in May.
The World Cup atmosphere is very strong locally, with a big screen even set up in the village center, where residents gather to watch matches.
"The World Cup atmosphere here is incredible; people are everywhere. Even when buying things on the street, people offer you their blessings," he said. "Many people who have never been to a stadium are now following football, including many women, which surprised me."
However, when the Brazil match comes around, Sven Solbakken will watch the game alone at home. "I prefer to watch the game alone," he said.
His home is near Grue Stadium.
Regarding the upcoming match against Brazil, he also shared his own opinion: "To be honest, this Brazil team is not the strongest we've seen, but they are improving, not only from match to match but also between the first and second halves, and it seems they are gradually reaching their peak form."
"Brazil have top players everywhere, but I think we still have a chance."
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