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Leeds United Norwegian verdict on England World Cup 'clash of two homes'

The Leeds United fanbase is so global that almost any international game will hold Elland Road interest, but England versus Norway is particularly special.

Matchday at Elland Road is a regular pilgrimage for an incredible number of visitors from Scandinavia, with the club's vast Norwegian following making up a great number of those.

Much of that is down to the glory days when Don Revie's white-clad trophy winners featured so heavily in the weekly 'Match of the Day' broadcast on Norwegian television. Leeds got its hooks into men and women of Norway and have never let them go - hence the club's visit to Oslo a couple of years ago to take on Manchester United in a friendly.

But tonight the World Cup will pit the Norwegian element of the fanbase against the group that makes up the majority.

Leeds-born Erling Haaland and co stand in the way of Thomas Tuchel's England, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.

For proud Norwegians there emotions will not be conflicting because they want their country to come out on top but of all the fixtures they could have faced it is the strangest one to experience. We spoke to some diehard Leeds fans from the land of Vikings to gauge their feelings and get their predictions.

Anders Palm

"I think it's going to be a tough and even game. Maybe it will be decided on penalties or won by one goal. I always cheer for England [when not playing Norway], so if Norway should lose to them it is better than losing to another country. I will actually watch the game with some Norwegian and English friends."

Trym I. Hagalia

"I was talking to a mate about this exact dilemma earlier today. It does feel strange going up against a country you spend so much time with. As a Leeds fan, it almost feels like a clash between two 'homes.' That said, I’ll always back my home country and hope Norway comes out on top. I think it’ll be a close game, but we’re playing some good football at the moment, so I’m going for a 2–1 Norway win."

“England are not quite the football superpower many of you still think you are”

Terje Ulven

"I’m incredibly excited for the quarter-final between Norway and England. It really should have been a final before they met, but now at least one of my favourite teams is guaranteed a place in the semi-final. Since there are no Leeds players in the England squad, I’m hoping Norway wins. If England had several Leeds players, I would have been more neutral. But for us Norwegians, this is the match of a lifetime - and possibly the greatest achievement in Norwegian sports, in any discipline, if we make it to the semi-final."

Kjell Bjørn Vinje

"England may have the reputation. Norway has the momentum. And sometimes, that's all the Vikings need. This should have been a difficult choice – but it really isn't. Like many Norwegians, I love England. I grew up with Leeds United and English football. In fact, I've watched far more live football in England than I ever have in Norway. But on Saturday, my heart beats firmly for Norway. This team has a genuine chance of beating England. The tournament has already been a fantastic adventure for Norway, and I don't believe it ends here. England are not quite the football superpower many of you still think you are. I don't expect the Lions to underestimate Norway, but they could still be brought down by 11 fearless Norwegian Vikings with enormous belief in themselves, absolutely no sense of inferiority, and a team spirit that is second to none. And let's be honest: leaving out players like Justin, Bogle and Calvert-Lewin doesn't exactly make England stronger. May the best team win – but don't be too surprised if Norway sails away with the victory in their longships."

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