– It’s strange to say it: It’s 5-0, but Norway hasn’t impressed. That was the verdict from news’s expert Carl-Erik Torp. Norway won superbly away to Albania in the first of two European Championship play-off matches. The national team led 3–0 at half-time, and eventually won 5–0. But Albania is a full 57 places behind Norway in the world ranking, and three of the goals were scored by Norwegian centre-backs from corner kicks. – This team will develop a style of play, which Gemma Grainger talks a lot about. But I struggle to see that style of play, said Torp. CRITICAL: news’s expert Carl-Erik Torp was not satisfied with Norway’s performance. Photo: Birk Pessl-Kleiven / news He was not impressed by the Norwegian performance. – I don’t know if Albania had even stayed in the Toppserien. When they meet a Norwegian team with world stars, you must be totally superior, he said and continued: – There has been far too much sloppiness. It is difficult to see the clear plan here in the Norwegian game. There is something that doesn’t quite calm me down, said Torp. See the goals here: Critical to the use of star players After just nine minutes, Frida Maanum made it 1-0 with a volley from eleven metres. Barely a quarter of an hour later, Norway doubled. On Vilde Bøe Risa’s corner kick, centre-back Guro Bergsvand towered highest, making it 2-0 with his head. Just before the break, the centre-back put in his second to make it 3-0. – Two of the goals have been set pieces. There are few chances, despite the enormous superiority in terms of play, commented Torp. DOUBLE: Midfielder Guro Bergsvand scored two goals from corner kicks during the first half. Photo: NTB The expert was particularly critical of the use of Caroline Graham Hansen, who is usually used on the right wing. Against Albania, she was used centrally in the 10er role. – I think she could have contributed much more in a match like this by being set up on her usual right wing. It is the position she is in and which may lead to her being named the world’s best footballer, said Torp and continued: – Is it to make her happy and content in that role, or is it about what she can contribute from there? NEW ROLE: Caroline Graham Hansen was used as an attacking midfield in a 10 role. news’s expert did not like that. Photo: NTB Hegerberg scored on the first touch Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg started the match on the bench, but after 61 minutes the star came on. It took 42 seconds from Hegerberg entering the field until she put the ball in the goal with her first touch. – We have seen several Norwegian players try out without much success, but Hegerberg just needed a chance, said Torp. Norway’s road to the European Championship Norway failed to qualify directly for the European Championship 2025 after finishing third in its group. Therefore, they have to go into a replay. The first obstacle for Norway is Albania, and the matches will be played on 25 and 29 October. Norway must win on aggregate to progress, and will then meet the winner of the match between Croatia and Northern Ireland in the final round, which will be played between 27 November and 3 December. A total of 28 teams are in the play off, and they are competing for the seven remaining places in EURO 2025. The championship is organized in Switzerland in the period 2-27. July. With just over a quarter of an hour to go, the other centre-back Mathilde Harviken scored 5-0 for Norway – from another corner kick. – The opposition here gives us no indication of where we are headed. We can’t play like this against better opposition, concluded TV 2 expert Solveig Gulbrandsen. Norway must win overall over Albania. The return match will be played at the Ullevaal stadium on Tuesday. If Norway wins, it will face either Northern Ireland or Croatia, as the last obstacle before the EC. The women’s national team has been a participant in every international championship since the EC in 1987. Published 25/10/2024, at 17.58 Updated 25.10.2024, at 18.06
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– Norway has not impressed – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
