In the original move, employed by the Norway national team, the move would be started by
Stig Inge Bjørnebye, and end with
Jostein Flo (after whom the tactic derives its name). Flo, at 1.92m (6 ft 4in), was a natural
centre forward with his physicality and height. When playing on the right flank, he could exploit his aerial ability against the
full backs. Norwegian head coach
Egil "Drillo" Olsen, who was the
Norway national team coach between 1990–98 and 2009–13, has been credited and strongly identified with this tactic. The Flo pass was successfully deployed for the first time in February 1993, in a 1–1
friendly draw with
Portugal. On this occasion
Pål Lydersen – not Bjørnebye – launched the ball to Flo, leading to
Gøran Sørloth scoring Norway's goal. The purpose of the Flo pass is to exploit the fact that the two players with best heading and aerial abilities in a back four are usually playing as
centre backs. Jostein Flo was a threat in the air and when he moved out towards the right wing he only had to face the left back, who was usually weaker in the air than the central defenders. This increased the possibility of winning the ball, and the side was able to build up the attack from here, preferably before the opposing team have the opportunity to re-organize their defence. Another advantage with this kind of play is that a technically limited football nation such as Norway, with only about 5 million people and much snow in winter time limiting the possibilities to practice, can play to their strengths rather than their weaknesses. This moves the ball very quickly, and is also able to surprise the opponent in a counterattack. This kind of tactical play sent Norway, traditionally a weak football nation, to the runner-up spot at the
FIFA ranking in 1997, second only to
FIFA World Cup winner
Brazil. ==References==