Norway hope for German aid

By Paul Saffer in Preston

Norwegian fans have two teams to support on Sunday as their side meet Italy hoping for a place in the semi-finals of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™.

France key
Not only will they be willing their own side on to victory in Preston in their last Group B encounter, but they will also be behind Germany who face France simultaneously in Warrington. France, who defeated Italy before drawing 1-1 with Norway on Thursday, lead the Scandinavian side by three points, so only a German win would give Bjarne Berntsen's team hope of progress.

Goal difference conundrum
Even then there is a matter of overturning France's net goal difference advantage, which stands at three. Indeed, if Norway win by a two-goal margin and score three goals more than France should Elisabeth Loisel's side lose by one, then the teams will be split by fair play ranking, and if that is level, the drawing of lots.

Relaxation important
But Berntsen knows his team must concentrate on their own match, and although the squad has changed a lot from their Olympic-winning days of five years ago, the coach is confident his players know what is required of them. "Only four of the players that won gold in 2000 in Sydney remain," he said. "They know what it's all about - how important it is to relax."

Vital equaliser
Certainly, Norway - who lost their opener 1-0 to the German holders - showed their ability against France when they were trailing and looked to be heading out. Isabell Herlovsen, the youngest player in the tournament, was sent on and claimed an equaliser, and Norway could even have gone on to win. As Berntsen said after the game: "It was tremendous for a 16-year-old to score such a vital goal."

Historic advantage
Norway can also look back on a great record against Italy - beating them in the UEFA European Women’s Championship final of in 1993, and both legs of the quarter-finals next time around. In all, the nations have met 13 times with nine Norwegian wins and only two for Italy, most recently a 3-1 friendly victory last September.

Italy determined
However, in the 1997 group stage Italy did gain victory in the final pool game to go through, but four years ago they drew 1-1, which proved vital as Norway pipped Italy on goal difference. Italy, defeated 3-1 by France and 4-0 by Germany, are now out, but coach Carolina Morace has much to prove. She said: "It is important to do our best, because it is important for this tournament. We know Norway are better than us, but we have tried to work hard this weekend."

Trio tipped
For their third and final Deepdale appearance in this tournament, Italy are expected to make at least three changes, with right-back Valentina Lanzieri, midfielder Giulia Domenichetti and striker Melania Gabbiadini, all under 22 years of age, tipped to come in for their first starts of the finals. Defender Gioia Masia is definitely out through suspension.