Ill Striker Separated from Remainder of Norwegian Squad Ahead of Iraq Encounter

The Norwegian national team arrived in Boston last night, and on Monday evening they held their initial training session at the training ground in Foxborough, Massachusetts. However, Jorgen Strand Larsen was absent from the rest of the squad as he has developed a fever leading up to the match against Iraq.

"He has come down with a fever," said national team coach Stale Solbakken. "That is the responsibility of Ola Sand (the doctor), but he did not attend training or meals, so he will probably have his food brought to his room today," added Solbakken.

National team doctor Ola Sand informed NRK.no that Strand Larsen first experienced symptoms on Sunday and that they became worse on Monday morning. Sand noted that Strand Larsen sat at the rear of the plane to Boston while wearing a face mask. He is now isolated in his own room.

When asked about the 26-year-old's potential to contribute for Norway later in the tournament, Solbakken stated:

"I spoke with him today. It is not as though he is terminally ill, because if that were the case we would not have brought him here. So I am hopeful he will be fit for tomorrow."

The remainder of the Norwegian squad is completely fit and prepared to face Iraq on 17 June at 00:00 CET.