S. Solbakken's story: from a heart attack during 'Copenhagen' team's training to leading his country towards a historic achievement.

2026-07-11 10:00 © Reuters

The story of Norway's national team coach Stale Solbakken is one of the most interesting among all the World Cup coaches.

Originally from the city of Kongsvinger in Norway, S. Solbakken had a rather unremarkable playing career, mainly playing in Norway, with a brief stint in England and Denmark.

In Denmark, more specifically in Copenhagen, an incident occurred in 2001 that almost ended in tragedy.

During a training session for the "Copenhagen" team, S. Solbakken suffered a heart attack, which fundamentally changed his life. Journalist Tautvydas Vencevičius discussed this on the "Goal 2026" show, where his brother Donatas was also playing in the ranks of the Danish champions at that time.

"And Stale Solbakken... Yesterday my brother and I remembered that in football, as in life – you walk on a thin line," said T. Vencevičius. "Solbakken had already experienced clinical death, and my brother was just playing with him at that time in the Copenhagen club."

A warm-up was being conducted, the coach said: "Come here." He fell (Solbakken), that was it, the heart stopped. There weren't always doctors at training sessions, just physiotherapists, so it was lucky. A doctor began administering artificial resuscitation and immediately called for an ambulance. Fortunately, the hospital was nearby; the heart had stopped for seven minutes, there was clinical death, and he continues to live with a heart pacemaker sewn in.

We see that he has now become a "Copenhagen" legend and has led Norway to a historic achievement... that fairy tale continues,” said former "Copenhagen" goalkeeper Donatas Vencevičius's brother Tautvydas.

The heart attack hit the former midfielder on March 13, less than a month after the 33-year-old player's birthday.

These days we see different stories where players decide to continue their careers after the first heart attack, but S. Solbakken acted maturely – it was announced at that point about the end of his career. He, of course, continued to face heart problems, so extensive examinations were carried out until it was possible to return to normal life with clear guidelines.

After the end of his playing career, a coaching career followed, which is why a large part of the world learned about him this summer.

In 2002, S. Solbakken received his first coaching job with the "HamKam" team, and after 4 years he returned to the "Copenhagen" team as a coach. With interruptions, he worked for 12 years in the magnificent Danish football team, during which he managed to win eight Danish championship titles, four Danish cups, and play four times in the Champions League group stage, once reaching the knockout stage.

In 2020, S. Solbakken took the reins of the Norwegian national team, and the Norwegians were tired of failures. At that time, there wasn't yet the golden generation that can now be confidently named, but there were signs.

Interestingly, before the last World Cup qualifiers, there was more pressure in Norwegian football than ever before. The national team coach was under a microscope – from both the media and fans. It can be said that this historic qualifying round was the last chance for S. Solbakken, and everything turned out very well. By a stroke of luck, they managed to leave Italy behind and confidently step into the World Cup, which the Norwegians returned to after 28 years.

The World Cup did not end for Stale Solbakken and Norway. Today – at exactly midnight, from Saturday to Sunday, the historic quarter-final against England. Record television ratings in Norway, a rowing celebration that captured the world, and an incredible Haaland streak – can this continue?