As we prepare to face Eliteserien side Bodo/Glimt in MD2 of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League in Bodo this evening (8pm UK), we delve into a little piece of Norway/Spurs history...
Our Norway internationals
We've had five full Norway internationals - three goalkeepers - with a legendary FA Cup winner up first...
Erik Thorstvedt
First Norway cap as a Spur vs Poland - 2 May, 1989
Legacy Number 578
The first Norwegian to lift the FA Cup, Erik the Viking recovered from a tricky start on his televised debut at Forest in January, 1989 to become a key member of Terry Venables' cup-winning squad, alongside the likes of Gazza, Gary Lineker and his skipper, Gary Mabbutt. He won 97 caps for Norway as they grew into an international force in the 1990s and was number one for the Røde, Hvite at the 1994 World Cup. Unfortunately, injury meant an early retirement for Erik, who is now a TV personality back home in Norway.
Frode Grodas
First Norway cap as a Spur vs France - 25 February, 1998
No appearances for Spurs
Signed as goalkeeping cover from Chelsea in January, 1998, Frode Grodas made his name at Lillestrøm before joining the Blues in 1996. He played 21 times in 1996/97 but that was his last regular action in spells at Spurs, Schalke and Racing Santander until returning to Norway and Honefoss in 2002 and 2003. However, he played eight times for Norway during his time here and went on to make it to a half-century of caps, his last two aged 38 in 2002.
Espen Baardsen
First Norway cap as a Spur vs Latvia - 6 September, 1998
Legacy Number 632
Born in America, Espen Baardsen opted to play for his parents' homeland of Norway and won all four senior caps as a Spurs player between 1998-2000. He looked all set to become number one here after taking over from Ian Walker at the start of 1998/99, but that didn't materialise and he moved on to Everton and then Watford before retiring in 2003.
Steffen Iversen
First Norway cap as a Spur vs Albania - 14 October, 1998
Legacy Number 627
Regularly battling against injury during his time at Spurs, striker Steffen Iversen scored 47 goals in his 177 appearances, but arguably is best remembered for an assist as he set up Allan Nielsen's late, late League Cup Final winner against Leicester in 1999. He also played a huge role in us getting to Wembley with a superb lob to win the semi-final against Wimbledon. Steffen won 79 caps for Norway in over a decade of international football, 1998-2011, 39 during his time with us, most famously hitting the winner against Spain in Euro 2000. He went on to play for Wolves and Palace in England, and twice returned to first club Rosenborg before retiring in 2012.
Oyvind Leonhardsen
First Norway cap as a Spur vs Lithuania - 18 August, 1999
Legacy Number 651
Hard-working, consistent midfielder 'Leo' won 86 caps for Norway between 1990-2003 - 18 during his time at Spurs - and famously scored the opener as Norway beat England in a World Cup qualifier in 1993. Leo played at the 1994 and 1998 World Cups and was signed by George Graham in 1999. Previously with Wimbledon and Liverpool, he made 79 appearances for us before a switch to Villa. He finished his career with spells at Lyn and Strømsgodset, retiring in 2007. He's now assistant coach at Mjøndalen IF.