Haaland Attends Ice Hockey Match Ahead of World Cup
Erling Haaland took a break from football to attend an NHL playoff game with his Norway teammates. The Manchester City forward and the Norwegian squad showed enthusiastic support for the Carolina Hurricanes during game five of the NHL playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights on Thursday.
Haaland, who is set to make his World Cup debut against Iraq on 16 June at 23:00 BST, appeared relaxed at the Lenovo Centre in Raleigh. He waved to the crowd when the Norway team was featured on the scoreboard and energetically waved a Hurricanes rally towel above his head.
He arrived wearing a grey polo shirt and was later seen smiling while wearing a white and red Hurricanes jersey with the number nine, which matches the number he wears for both club and country.
The Hurricanes, aiming for their first Stanley Cup title in 20 years, currently lead the Golden Knights 3-2 in the best-of-seven series, having secured a 4-2 regulation victory in game five.
Norway's World Cup Return and Team Spirit
This World Cup marks Norway's first appearance since 1998 and their first major tournament since Euro 2000. Although their campaign begins next Tuesday, they have already attracted attention.
The Norwegian squad recently posed for a striking send-off photograph dressed in authentic Viking attire, captured by renowned British photographer David Yarrow. The image is titled
The Vikings Are Coming. Additionally, the team paid homage to their origins with a group photo featuring the shirts of their first clubs.
Norway is based in Greensboro, North Carolina, approximately 80 miles from the Hurricanes' home in Raleigh, for the duration of the tournament. Their opportunity to watch a premier NHL event comes shortly after the Norwegian men's national ice hockey team achieved a surprising bronze medal victory over Canada in overtime at the World Championships.
Upcoming World Cup Fixtures for Norway
Following their opening match against Iraq in Boston, Norway will travel to New Jersey to face Senegal on 23 June at 01:00 BST. They will then return to Boston for their final group game against France on 26 June at 20:00 BST.
