Vaagan Moen gets Norway call

SK Brann midfielder Petter Vaagan Moen has returned to the Norway fold for the UEFA EURO 2008™ qualifier against Greece in Athens on 7 October.

Competitive debut
Coach Åge Hareide has brought the left-sided midfielder back into the fold after splendid form with Norwegian league leaders Brann, although his chance of playing a first competitive game following three appearances in friendlies earlier this year may be limited by the presence of Morten Gamst Pedersen.

Core strength
Unsurprisingly, Hareide has stuck with the nucleus of the squad that started the Group C campaign in style with wins against Hungary and Moldova. "We will look to build on our success," said Hareide, who has recalled Liverpool FC left-back John Arne Riise after recovering from an ankle injury. "A draw would be a good result for us in Athens, but we will obviously go for the win."

Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Jan Kjell Larsen (Molde FK), Thomas Myhre (Charlton Athletic FC), Håkon Opdal (SK Brann).

Defenders: Erik Hagen (FC Zenit St. Petersburg), Brede Hangeland (FC København), Marius Johnsen (IK Start), Frode Kippe (Lillestrøm SK), Anders Rambekk (Lillestrøm SK), John Arne Riise (Liverpool FC).

Midfielders: Martin Andresen (SK Brann), Christian Grindheim (Vålerenga IF), Kristofer Hæstad (IK Start), Tommy Svindal Larsen (Odd Grenland), Petter Vaagan Moen (SK Brann), Morten Gamst Pedersen (Blackburn Rovers FC), Bjørn Helge Riise (Lillestrøm SK), Jan Gunnar Solli (Rosenborg BK), Fredrik Strømstad (IK Start).

Forwards: Daniel Braaten (Rosenborg BK), John Carew (Olympique Lyonnais), Steffen Iversen (Rosenborg BK), Ole Gunnar Solskjær (Manchester United FC), Ole Martin Årst (Tromsø IL).