France, the EC favourite, will be Norway’s semi-final opponent after the 29–31 loss against their neighbors to the south. – It doesn’t get much tougher than that. If you want to reach the top, you have to beat the best, so we just have to improve towards the semi-finals, says Stine Bredal Oftedal after the loss. The Danes opened very strongly in Ljubljana, and with a solid Sandra Toft in goal, they took a long-awaited victory over Norway. Their first in eight years. – Denmark takes its chances and we don’t. We produce a lot, but don’t put enough balls in the goal and don’t stand well enough at the back. Plain and simple, sums up Nora Mørk, who was the match’s top scorer with eight goals. Before Wednesday’s match between Norway and Denmark, both teams had already secured a semi-final ticket. But Norway drew the shortest straw and has by far the most difficult path to a possible final. For the Danes, Montenegro awaits in the semi-finals. DID IT “TOFT”: Goalkeeper Sandra Toft should take much of the credit for the Danish victory. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / Beate Oma Dahle Sloppy opening Norway were unusually disorganized initially. After falling behind by three goals in the first ten minutes, Thorir Hergeirsson had to take an early timeout. Denmark were strong in the duels, and Norway struggled with the aim. Neither team was able to pull away, and they followed each other closely until the break. A good save by Katrine Lunde ensured that Norway took the lead for the first time 30 seconds before the break. Norway went to rest with a one-goal lead (13-12), after an even half. SHORT-TERM JOY: Katrine Lunde secured the Norwegian lead at the break. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB Mørk’s penalty streak broken In the second half, Lunde and Sandra Toft stood well at the back, and ensured that neither team left. Nora Mørk had 20 out of 20 perfect hits from the seven-meter mark so far in this championship, but that streak ended Denmark’s last chance. – It is not surprising that it is Sandra Toft who stops the row, says news’s commentator Patrick Rowlands. BEINHARDT: Denmark played tough in defence, and the Norwegian girls really felt it. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB At the same time that Norway hit both the crossbar and the posts, the Danes were effective at the opposite end. The Danes played doggedly in defence, and scored two quick dismissals. – Denmark is playing very badly now, says expert commentator Marit Malm Frafjord. – They do what they can to win, and they get punished for it. But yes, we knew those duels, says Bredal Oftedal, who himself received a slap on the lip. Thorir Hergeirsson had this to say about the match to TV3: – We don’t stand the distance and don’t have a good enough defence, goalkeeper or finishing in periods. They are sharper than us today, they are two goals better and we just have to acknowledge that, he says.
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Norway lost to Denmark in the intermediate stage of the European Handball Championship – meets France in the semi-finals – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
