Norway end group on a high
Saturday, October 2, 2004
Article summary
Norway 2-0 Spain Group 2 runners-up Norway continued their good form heading into the play-offs.
Article body
By Eivind Aarre
Norway confirmed that they are a force to be reckoned with despite missing out on automatic qualification for next summer's UEFA European Women's Championship final round, as they ended their Group 2 campaign with victory against Spain.
Victory sealed
One of six teams in Tuesday's play-off draw, Norway dominated from the off, but had to wait until the 71st minute for Ragnhild Gulbrandsen to break the deadlock with a header. Another headed goal, from Marit Fiane Christensen, sealed the victory for Åge Steen's side, whose 2-1 defeat in Denmark in May effectively cost them first place, though that was not confirmed until last Sunday when Poul Højmose's team defeated bottom side Belgium 6-0.
Spain eliminated
Norway, who have gained recent friendly victories against already-qualified Germany and Sweden plus fellow play-off contenders Italy, will meet Finland or Iceland over two legs for a place in England having finished as best runners-up. Finland and Iceland's records as the best third-place finishers mean that Spain's campaign is over having gained seven points to Finland and Iceland's tallies of 13.
