Slavia Prague has historically recruited players from Norway, including Ogbu, Zafeiiris and Diouf, all of whom have started their careers in the Norwegian League. This strategy is due to the search for affordable, tested and familiar talents with an intense style of play, physical quality and discipline that are not always found in other leagues. Coach JindÅ™ich TrpiÅ¡ovský points out that Norway offers a good balance between cost and performance, and that Norwegian players are often more willing to adapt to Slavia’s culture and style of play. This approach has been particularly successful, with players such as Oscar Dorley and Eric Prekop, and more recently, the acquisition of Divine Team, Timothy Ouam and Youssoupha Sanyang, demonstrating the potential of the Norwegian League as a source of talent.
The Norwegian League, although less publicised than other European leagues, has evolved in recent years. Norwegian clubs, including FC Copenhagen, have adopted a more ambitious player sales strategy, generating significant revenues. This trend is due to better financial management and a growing recognition of the athletic and technical potential of Norwegian players. However, this same trend poses challenges for Slavia, who must now compete with richer clubs to appropriate these talents. Sweden has become a more expensive alternative, with Swedish players perceived as less suited to Slavia’s style of play.
In parallel with these transfers, the Norwegian club Bodø/Glimt, which has recently reached the semifinals of the Europa League and will participate in the Champions League, is planning to build a new 10 000-seat stadium. This ambitious project, estimated at EUR 100 million, is considered essential to ensure the long-term development of the club and its ability to compete with the best European teams. However, this plan is criticized by some experts who highlight the club’s strong dependence on its coach and the financial risks associated with its eventual departure. Despite these uncertainties, the construction of the new stadium is seen as a necessary investment to maintain Bodø/Glimt’s competitiveness on the national and international scene.