(Nettavisen): “Due to surface water on most of the fields at Ekeberg, there will be no children’s football on Sunday, July 28. Play will continue as planned during the week. We apologize. Norway Cup.”
According to NRK, this is the message the tournament organizer has sent to the participants.
– Children’s football will have to wait one more day before the Norway Cup begins for them, says chairman Øystein Sundelin of Norway Cup to NTB.
He reports that there are 109 matches in the children’s football part of the Norway Cup that are being canceled on Sunday.
– There are about 500 participants in children’s football. Some are surely disappointed today, but hopefully, they will have something to look forward to on Monday, says the chairman.
Earlier on Saturday, the Meteorological Institute warned of heavy rain showers and lightning in Eastern Norway. The showers may vary in both intensity and amount.
Weather Warning
– Heavy rain showers are expected in your area. There are local variations in intensity and amount, and the weather can change rapidly. The placement of the precipitation is uncertain. Locally, the rainfall is expected to exceed 20 millimeters per hour. There will also be lightning associated with the showers, meteorologists write on Yr.no.
A yellow weather warning has been issued for the precipitation and the risk of lightning. The warning applies from 11 AM to 8 PM. As usual, the recommendation is to stay updated about both the weather development and the weather forecast, and to keep an eye on the weather radar.
Practical measures to ensure that water can drain away include cleaning drainage paths and culverts.
There is a risk of surface water in built-up areas, local flooding, changes in stream and river channels, and landslides due to rain showers where they hit. There is also a risk that roads may be closed and surface water may accumulate along streams and rivers. Surface water can locally lead to difficult driving conditions and the risk of hydroplaning, according to the weather warning.
More Matches Already Moved
Earlier on Saturday, the organizer reported that 150 of the matches would be moved from Ekebergsletten to reserve fields in the nearby area.
– We want our players to have a good playing experience because the sporting aspect is the most important. Many of the fields have so much water that they will become muddy, and the fields will be ruined for the entire tournament, said acting general secretary Marthe Bøhler of Norway Cup in a press release.
This assessment also considered the health of the football players.
– When muddy fields dry, they develop holes and bumps that harden, and players risk injuries, states the organizer’s press release that was sent earlier on Saturday.
The organizer also reported that they are confident that the relevant fields would be ready by Monday.
The opening concert on Saturday evening will proceed as normal, the organizer reports. Teams that have their matches moved will receive a new match schedule by 8 PM on Saturday at the latest.