Portugal and Norway played out a 35–35 draw, a result that, after Denmark’s win over Germany, meant both teams were eliminated. But the main talking point after the match was Portugal’s Miguel Neves. TV cameras showed Neves using an iPad in an apparent attempt to listen in on Norway’s team timeouts.
– Sagosen is taking the timeout without the microphone – they’re listening.
Those were the words of Norway head coach Jonas Wille on Viaplay’s broadcast ahead of a timeout against Portugal. Moments later, Sagosen led the team huddle while deliberately avoiding the pitch-side microphone that normally allows viewers to hear the timeout discussions during the European Championship.
The background to the situation was Portuguese player Neves trying to pick up Norway’s tactical instructions. After the match, he openly admitted what he was doing.
– I played three years in Norway and I have a Norwegian girlfriend, so I speak and understand the language. I tried to figure out what they were planning so I could prepare our defense and gain a small advantage, Neves told TV2.
Not everyone was impressed with the tactic. Danish star Simon Pytlick was asked about the incident after Denmark’s match against Germany and felt it crossed a line.
– I don’t want to say too much, but I don’t think it’s okay. First you should focus on your own game, and then leave that kind of thing behind. I don’t think it fits our sport that someone is standing there listening to what the other team is doing. It hasn’t really been used before, so I don’t understand why it suddenly is, Pytlick said.