It will be the most high-security sports event in Norway since the Winter Olympics in 1994. Anti-terror measures are in place throughout Oslo; a no-fly zone will be implemented in the skies above Ullevaal Stadion and through all the tension it could be easy to forget that the national team are within touching distance of a first World Cup appearance for 27 years. Beating Israel would put them on the verge but the visitors’ presence has added multiple layers of complexity and controversy.
That will be clear on Saturday afternoon, when a crowd of several thousand is expected to march peacefully from the centre of Oslo to a stage set up near the ground. It has been organised by the Palestine Committee in Norway under the slogan “Red card for Israel” and other bodies will be holding their own protests too. Outside Grønland metro station, posters of unclear provenance advertised a separate demonstration under the name “Stop the national match”. The authorities have been preparing for this occasion since the teams were drawn together more than a year ago.
