Odegaard admits facing Arsenal teammate Rice will be a 'big test' in Norway's game vs England

[p][a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/odegaard-martin/ID32TGhp/"]Odegaard[/a], who also captains [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/team/arsenal/hA1Zm19f/"]Arsenal[/a], will face his fellow Premier League-winning ‌teammates [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/rice-declan/zkQ8Cm6n/"]Declan Rice[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/saka-bukayo/08NLEo06/"]Bukayo Saka[/a], [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/madueke-chukwunonso/Ac57P9Pt/"]Noni Madueke[/a] and [a href="https://www.flashscore.ca/player/eze-eberechi/Stf4BYFn/"]Eberechi Eze[/a] ‌when Norway play England at the Miami Stadium on Saturday.[/p][p]The midfielder said he ‌had spoken to a few of them during the tournament but ‌was focusing on the task ahead rather than having a friendly chat.[/p][p][b]"Not too much (banter). I've spoken to a few of them a little bit during the tournament,"[/b] a ‌smiling Odegaard told reporters on Wednesday.[/p][p][b]"Obviously we know ⁠the quality they have. I ‌know them really well. Outstanding players, world-class players, playing for probably one of the ​best national teams in the world at the moment, so it's going to be a big test for us."[/b][/p][embed guid="aaba7a22-4844-42e8-acfd-4669e4278963" url="https://x.com/Flashscorecom/status/2074177325088784658" social-type="twitter" /][p]Odegaard reserved ​special praise for Rice, who anchors England's midfield, which could prove to be a key battleground in the quarter-final clash.[/p][p][b]"He's someone who always gives ⁠absolutely everything for the ​team, always fighting for every single ball, bringing his energy to the pitch, to the team, driving the team forward.[/b][/p][p][b]"He can do so many things on the pitch. He can defend, he can attack, he can be ‌physical, he can be good on the ball. He's a very complete player, so it's going to be a good test for all of us.[/b][/p][p]"And it's not just about Declan, but the whole team has unbelievable players. It's a massive test and we're looking forward to it. Hopefully we can make even more history."[/p][p]Odegaard said Norway were drawing confidence from their upset victory over five-times champions Brazil to qualify for the quarter-finals for the first time ever, and the side could spring another surprise ‌despite being cast as underdogs once again.[/p][p]"I think Brazil (in the last ​16) was the same, we were the underdogs and, as you ‌saw, anything can happen in football," he said.[/p][p]"We're going to give it a good try, see what we can do and (are) looking forward to it.[/p][p][b]"We have to have the belief in ourselves. We've shown the whole world that we're a good team. In football, ⁠anything is possible. Even though we're ⁠the underdogs again, let's see ‌what happens and let's prepare well."[/b][/p]