Norway In Euro 2016 Auto Qualification Hunt

It’s been fun to watch Norway in Euro 2016 as they’ve striven to grab one of the automatic qualification spots for the finals in France, but their last game is a doozy and there’s every chance they’ll get pipped at the post by the Croatians, so is their optimism misplaced and would wagering on them be like betting the F-35’s their air force is buying will ever be worth the money they’re shelling out for them?

Those that like to bet on sports in Norway may well be keeping their fingers crossed their their country’s team makes it through their games against Malta (should do) and Italy (might not) and grabs one of the much coveted automatic qualification spots for the Euro 2016 finals in France next year, however it would seem that whilst they’ll be putting down a fair bit of money on their side winning the games, on a grander scale in a greater game Norway is spending lots more on a far riskier gamble.

Norwegian Football & The F-35A

• Optimism abounds for Norway in Euro 2016
• Will Italians be as ineffectual as the F-35?
• Can Croatia crush Norway’s dreams?

It probably says much that I have far greater reservations concerning the Norwegian Airforce buying up F-35A fighter jets than I do about their chances against Italy and in their final group game in October and the future of Norway in Euro 2016. Playing the Italians at football is something that really can go either way, the F-35A on the other hand is an expensive, overly complex, ineffectual aircraft that will only ever lower the amount of money the Norwegians possess.

Modern nations do indeed need an effect air defense capability but this hi-tech junk from the US is simply a purchase of political folly winning out over all practical considerations. The F-35 “Can’t turn, can’t climb, can’t run” reported John Stillion and Harold Scott after a 2008 war game, but production went ahead anyway. It’s now set to be the most numerous aircraft in the US inventory and set for export to numerous allied nations. The fact it doesn’t fly very well seeming to worry no one.

Norway In Euro 2016 Automatic Qualification Hunt Till They Meet The Italians

Like Lockheed Martin’s plane and team of engineers and designers, Norway in Euro 2016 has been sold to fans as something it’s not. That they will effortlessly sail by the opposition and automatically reach the French finals, that this is their year, that they have a right to hope for the best. However looking at their final match against Italy you can’t justify that optimism. Italy already top the group and it’s the results of Croatia that are going to count far more.

ComeOn! Sportsbook has Norway at 1.05 to Malta’s 32.25, which is nice and reassuring, but for Norway in Euro 2016 it’s Croatia getting 1.32 to Bulgaria’s 9.75 which might mean a longer route to qualification beckons the boys from up north. Croatia beating Bulgaria, and being almost certain to demolish the hapless Maltese, would put them points ahead of Norway should they lose to Italy in their last match. So as you might imagine there will be quite a few Norwegians gambling news will come from Malta of an upset victory for the islanders.

Let’s remember Italy are sitting on odds of 17.00 to take the title at the end of the finals, Norway at 251.00 lag some way behind at that really is indicative of the two teams. Determination, drive and luck may all still play a part to keep Norway in Euro 2016 automatically, but that win seems as unlikely as the F-35 to see any combat that might test its abilities to live up to the manufacturers promises. Norway’s footballers have some hard times ahead, their pilots far more so.

Optimism May Cost Norway More Than Auto Qualification

The F-35 comes in three variants or versions. A normal aircraft, an aircraft with all the gubbins necessary to be launched off an aircraft carrier, and as VSTOL version that can take off without a runway. In principle this modular concept should be a winner, but all it has done is add yet another layer of compromises into an aircraft already significantly hampered by its “stealthy” shape. It flies like the Norwegians will play football against the Italians. Lots of energy, lots of potential, distinct lack of performance.

Not that it will matter. The sort of war for which these planes were designed no longer exists as a realistic battle scenario. Russia and China aren’t going to launch a two-ocean war against the US, there will be no rush to the Fulda Gap by hoards of armor, these days it’s all asymmetrical proxy warfare by groups of insurgents like ISIS, and frankly you don’t need an F-35 to drop bombs on them. This means the F-35 will probably never be found wanting…….unlike Norway in 2016 who can’t avoid their battle.

On the night Norway stand a chance, but it’s a slim one, and with the game in Rome you really have to believe in miracles to take advantage of Norwegian gambling laws and back their team to win and get a much deserved leg up for Norway in Euro 2016. Putting money on Norway to beat Italy isn’t as stupid as spending billions on the F-35, but it’s a bit like gambling porn is ethically sourced, you can convince yourself it’s okay, but really, it never is.