– It’s sad, especially with the chances we had. We should have decided the game earlier, but it was nine minutes of overtime. I don’t know where they came from because it seemed like a lot to me. Nevertheless, we have to stand the game out, and we didn’t, says national team manager Gemma Grainger to news after the game. Eight minutes into overtime, Emma Koivisto equalized for the Finns. – I asked the fourth referee where the nine minutes came from, because it was very long, but we can’t control it, I can’t control the referees, but I’m disappointed to lose the victory so late, she continues. Crazy scenes of jubilation unfolded in the Finnish camp. DEPRESSED: Caroline Graham Hansen and Vilde Bøe Risa were clearly disappointed after the equalizer in overtime. Photo: BILDBYRÅN Ingrid Syrstad Engen also reacted when the board with overtime minutes was shown. – The first thought was that it was a lot. Guro Reiten didn’t want to waste energy on the referee’s decision. – It is a match with a lot of stops. We just have to follow the rules and finish the game, Reiten said after the game. Finland’s goal made Norway’s path to the EC more difficult. BLAPP IN OVERTIME: Cecilie Fiskerstrand had to retrieve the ball out of the net after Finnish Koivisto put it under her right leg. Photo: Jussi Nukari / NTB – We had made sure to avoid the fourth place, which gives direct relegation. Now it will be even more exciting with the match between Italy and the Netherlands later tonight, says news’s expert Carl Erik Torp. Instead of eight points and top of the table, Norway now has six points. The Netherlands leads with 8 points. Italy and Finland both have 5 points. The best two in the group advance. If Norway finishes third or fourth, they will go to the playoffs. Takes the blame Tuva Hansen takes the blame for Finland getting away with it so late in the game. TAKES THE BLAME: Tuva Hansen was clear about his own performance after the match. Photo: BILDBYRÅN – I can lie flat on it, for sure. It feels shameful. We know what is at stake. The Finns played the ball inside the west back in front of the goal. Karina Sævik is unsure why Norway let Finland take over more in the second half. – It is not true when we get to the second round, she acknowledges. She herself had a great chance, but the shot went over. – It must sit, it is a free goal. It’s even worse when we don’t win, but I was sure there would be more chances, because we had such an advantage, says Sævik, who promises that Norway will adapt well to the important match against the Netherlands. Strong opening Norway took the lead after only seven minutes. The Finnish goalkeeper boxed the ball out after a corner kick. There, Guro Reiten stood ready and wide-sided the ball in the far corner after a nice arc over the goalkeeper. – We called for her before the match, said Torp. FINAL SCORING: Before tonight’s game, Guro Reiten had not scored in eight games. Photo: Vegard Grøtt / BILDBYRÅN It was her first goal for the national team in a year. The last time she found the nets was during last year’s world championships. Before the match, Reiten was asked about the scoring drought. – I like setting others up, so maybe I have to finish a little more than I have done. LEADING GOAL: This goal by Guro Reiten after 7 minutes meant that Norway led until extra time. Missing identity Ahead of the match, national team coach Gemma Grainger has had to endure a lot of criticism. Torp said before the match that he misses a clearer identity in Norway’s style of play. – We saw some clear signs under Grainger at the start. They played directly with a clear high pressure. But in the last few games it has been quite absent and we have been inferior. Torp thinks the team has perhaps become a little more cowardly. HAD TO BEAR CRITICISM: Gemma Grainger’s Norway has received criticism after two weak qualifying matches against Italy. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB Former national team player Anja Sønstevold sat in news’s studio during the broadcast. When she attended Grainger’s session earlier this year, she was pleasantly surprised by the clear playing style. But she agreed that the arrow was now pointing in the wrong direction. – In the last two games against Italy, they haven’t been able to get it to sit. Secretary General of the Norwegian Football Association Karl Petter Løken said before the match that they have confidence in Grainger. – She is rock solid. We are very satisfied with what she has contributed so far, said Løken. Norway will meet the Netherlands on Tuesday in the last match of the qualifiers. Published 12.07.2024, at 20.04 Updated 12.07.2024, at 21.10
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Norway lost the victory eight minutes into overtime – Gemma Grainger criticizes the referees – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
