The European Championship qualifier between Norway J19 and England J19 was neither televised nor decisive for Norway, but still it was very special for the players. Just ask Norway goalkeeper Aurora Mikalsen. Photo: VEGARD GRØTT / BILDBYRÅN She is in place in the European Championships where Norway will meet the host nation on Monday night. Earlier in the championship, she met England captain Leah Williamson off the field. – She said: “There was something familiar about you”. And then I replied, “Yes, can it be that it’s that penalty kick?” And that was it, says Mikalsen to news and laughs. Referee loss Mikalsen was in goal for the J19 team in 2015. Norway led 2-1 when England got a penalty kick six minutes into overtime. Then, when an English player ran too early into the 16-meter, the referee gave an indirect free kick to Norway instead of taking the penalty again. This rule had been changed several years earlier, but the judge stood his ground. Then the English Football Association (FA) sent a complaint to Uefa. – There was a lot of uncertainty. They sent a complaint, but we thought it would not happen at J19 level. But then it did. Then it was very strange, says Mikalsen. Thus, the match had to be restarted in the 96th minute – five days later. This Thursday, Norway was to meet Northern Ireland earlier in the day. – Absurd Norway beat Northern Ireland, went back to the hotel, ate and went out again for a new “match”. The penalty kick and the following 40 seconds were to be completed. – It was strange when the warm-up was longer than the match. But we prepared equally and had a plan for what was to happen, says Karina Sævik. TOK STEGET: Karina Sævik has 32 A-national matches today. Photo: VEGARD GRØTT / BILDBYRÅN Mikalsen remembers how she analyzed all of England’s potential penalty shooters in advance. After the warm-up, she set herself a goal. Again, it was Leah Williamson who stepped forward. – What was it like to start the match with a penalty kick? – It was very absurd after playing 90 minutes earlier in the day, and then warming up for half an hour and then playing 40 seconds. It was very strange. It was something for itself, says Mikalsen. Mikalsen chose the right corner, but Williamson’s penalty slipped just past the keeper. Thus, England equalized to 2-2, and the 40 seconds ended without a Norwegian goal chance. PUNISHED: Arsenal player Leah Williamson is today captain of England. Photo: LUDVIG THUNMAN / BILDBYRÅN The English girls ran around the field with their arms in the air: The point was that England qualified for the European Championships. Since Norway beat Northern Ireland earlier in the day, Norway had to lose to lose the second European Championship place. Thus, it ended well for Mikalsen as well. Without being tempted by a repetition. – No, and I hope I never experience it again. I hope the level of the referees is higher, says the Norway goalkeeper with a smile.
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New penalty kick five days (!) Later – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
