A late solo strike by Norway ahead Caroline Graham Hansen secured a 2-1 victory in opposition to Finland within the Ladies’s European Championship on Sunday, because the twice champions took a giant step in direction of qualifying for the knockout part.
Norway’s second Group A win put them high of the standings with six factors. Finland, who defeated Iceland of their opening recreation, stay on three.
“We buzzed our strategy to three factors in a method or one other, however that is what counts in championships. There is a bit to work with, however we received, it helps,” participant of the match Graham Hansen instructed Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Eva Nystrom’s personal aim put Norway forward after three minutes as Graham Hansen’s cross hit the Finland defender and slid cruelly into the online.
The Norwegians had been unfortunate to not rating once more after they hit the woodwork twice inside a minute, Ingrid Syrstad Engen’s close-range header putting the crossbar earlier than Finland goalkeeper Anna Koivunen tipped Vilde Boe Risa’s nook onto the publish.
Finland equalised within the thirty second minute when midfielder Oona Siren discovered ahead Oona Sevenius with a exact by way of ball. Sevenius hammered a left-foot shot into the highest proper nook to attain her first worldwide aim for over a yr.
Graham Hansen then stepped as much as seal the win within the 84th minute, fooling two defenders with fast ft as she drifted in from the proper and rifled a shot in off the far publish.
Norway, who beat Switzerland of their opening recreation, might have a spot within the quarter-finals confirmed if the hosts beat Iceland afterward Sunday, or if the match ends in a draw.
Finland face Switzerland on Thursday when Norway play Iceland.
