KaareV wrote:
Well, since cricket,softball, rugby are not especially on the agenda high up North, though in some European countries. But in Soccer, not all that bad for a small nation. In tennis, one amongst the hundred best. Norway, with short summers and long winters, on top in most of the wintersports,alpine skiing, cross country,skiing, biathlon etc. But very good in orienteering. And in handball. Some top swimmers. Cricket came to Norway with pakistani immigants some years ago. Are Cricket and Softball world sports? And American Football? World Series. What World? Most of it due to cultural differences. In Norway people don't even know what softball is. That's how it is with 5 million inhabitans. 56 Olympic gold Medals in summersports and 132 in wintersports. Compared with USA it is nothing: 1022+105.
In Soccer, what was your last WC appearance? 1998. And Norway only qualified for 3 WCs (1934,1998 and 2002). I'm not bashing your country. You had very good players un the past like Rekdal, Carew, Berg, Rockstar Dan Eggen, etc ...but now they're not contenders, like Uruguay in soccer, or Lithuania in Basketball, or Wales/New Zealand in Rugby (countries similar to Norway in terms of population)
Same with Tennis, having a top 100 ranked player doesnt make you "contender'.
International Cricket Council (ICC), has over 100 members, and Is very popular in Commonwhealth colonies.
You didn't mention Basketball (how many Norwegians made an NBA roster? Only one, with 3 games played for the Clippers in late 80's). And Basketball is an indoor sport, so, long winters are irrelevant.
Norway sucess in athletics, now that is impressive. And i'm not saying that Norwegians are good only in EPO related sports. You had excellent throwers and even sprinters/hurdlers.