For the first time since 2011, Norway played the final of the J19 European Championships for women on Saturday. At that time, Ada Hegerberg and company lost all 1-8 to Germany, but this year’s edition of the national team showed early on that they had no plans to be ravaged. Kolbotn goalkeeper Selma Panengstuen started the match with a magnificent save, and the masterpiece motivated the teammates. When Spain was a bit sloppy in defense, Thea Kyvåg was quickly ahead and snatched the ball. The lightning-fast wing accelerated along the left side and found an unmarked Iris Omarsdottir in front of goal. The striker had a good time alone with the goalkeeper, and knocked the ball in cash in the left corner. – It is a dream start for Norway. It is counter-attacking at the top level, commented Andreas Stabrun Smith. – Norway leads the European Championship final, oioioi, the news commentator exclaimed a little perplexed. – A little lucky Norway played structured and stuck well to the battle plan, but ten minutes before the break they were unlucky. A play from Panengstuen was broken by the Spaniards, and Ane Elexpuru was suddenly alone with Norway’s last defense after Maria Fink failed to clear. This time, the Kolbotn goalkeeper failed to prevent a goal, and Elexpuru equalized for the Spaniards. – It feels a little unnecessary the way it comes, commented Stabrun Smith. And shortly afterwards, the supporters in Ostrava thought that Spain had turned the match around. After a bit of a mess after a corner kick, the ball suddenly ended up in the net. But line judges waved the flag and the goal was canceled for offside. – I think Norway was a bit lucky there, the news commentator admitted. – It is pure sabotage But luck would unfortunately turn for Norway in the second round. Kyvåg was played beautifully through behind the Swedish defense. Her first shot was saved, but the lightning wing got a new opportunity on the return. The ball bounced slightly and Kyvåg only had to control the ball in the open goal, but the finish went just to the side for the opposite post. BOM: Thea Kyvåg missed an open goal at the position 1-1. Photo: PAVEL LEBEDA / BILDBYRÅN – We had it for you Thea Kyvåg after a fantastic championship, exclaimed Stabrun Smith. A few minutes later, Norway stormed towards the goal again with a three against two advantage. But Spanish Silvia Lloris put in a fierce tackle on Omarsdottir as the striker was to play out to substitute Ina Birkelund who had been alone with the goalkeeper. – It’s pure sabotage. It’s ugly, exclaimed Stabrun Smith. Lloris was shown the yellow card by referee Alina Pesu, something the news commentator clearly thought was too kind. – It’s a yellow card at least. Excuse me. And the bad luck should just continue. Norway kept away from the Spanish pressure until well into overtime, but with only one minute left on the clock, Spain scored by Julia Bartel and Norway lost the European Championship gold by the smallest possible margin. Great achievement Norway does not have the best final statistics in the J19 context. In addition to the loss in 2011, the Norwegian women’s talents have lost the final both in 2008 and in 2003. Since Norway’s previous final in 2011, Spain has by comparison won the tournament twice (2017 and 2018) and lost four finals (2012, 2014, 2015 and 2016). In other words, the Spaniards were big favorites before Saturday’s final. For Norway’s team, it was a great achievement just to qualify for the championship which consists of only seven nations. Norway won their group ahead of Sweden in a mutual settlement after taking 6 of 9 possible points in the three initial matches. But the tournament started with a heavy 1-4 loss against England in the opening match, but strong victories over Germany (2-1) and Sweden (1-0) in the last two group games were enough to ensure advancement. In Wednesday’s semi-final, the reigning champions from 2019 awaited, namely France. It was an even and unlucky match, but after 52 minutes of play, the decision came when a post from Lyn striker Cathinka Tandberg was controlled in his own net by the French midfielder Éloïse Sévenne.
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– It is pure sabotage – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
