Sharing in Norway's success

By Paul Saffer in Preston

Whichever room Ingvild Stensland and Lise Klaveness share in the Norway team hotel in Preston, it must have their lucky number.

Perfect day
The Norwegians went into their last Group B game against Italy three points behind France, and needing not only to overcome the Azzurre, but also for Germany to do them a favour and defeat Les Bleues. And from the moment Klaveness, in her first start of the tournament, scored in the sixth minute, things went Norway's way.

Dynamic duo
By the 70th minute in Preston, Norway led 5-3, Klaveness having scored again and midfield dynamo Stensland having been instrumental in three of the goals. Then news filtered through from Warrington that Germany were in front, and soon Norway could celebrate their progress to the semi-finals on goal difference.

Keeping focused
Klaveness told uefa.com: "It was amazing. We did not know what was going on in the other game. We agreed with each other about not telling the result so we could focus on our own game, so I did not know until the referee ended the game. I did not even notice the fans' celebrations - I just thought they were enjoying the win."

'Tough game'
Stensland, named player of the match, added: "It was a tough game, as we did not know what was happening in the other match. But we scored five goals and we made it, so I am very happy." Her performance was vital to that achievement, the 24-year-old Klaveness pointed out.

'Very good'
"My room-mate's passes today were very good, we got three goals from her passes," the striker said, adding of her own feat: "Of course it is amazing to score early. The focus was to get to the semi-finals, but it is fun to have success on your own behalf as well. It was a very weird game, it was going back and forth and Italy gave us a hard match. We let in three goals and that's not good enough - but who cares?"

Hard work
Modestly, Stensland said: "I worked hard today with the rest of the team, they worked hard too, so I am happy with my service. We had many chances against Germany and France, and today we took them so we are pleased. Italy were dangerous - a tough and physical team with very good forwards, but we scored five goals and won."

Exceeding expectations
Not only that, but Germany kept their side of the bargain, ending a tense few days for the Norwegians. "The atmosphere in the camp has been a bit nervous, and from my point of view I was a bit pessimistic," Klaveness said. "Germany could manage with just a draw, but they won 3-0 today and it is a big team that does that. I want to thank them for that great effort."

Old rivals
Next up, in Warrington on Thursday, are old rivals Sweden. Norway always knew that if they got through, they would play the Group A winners, but that looked like being Denmark until their surprise loss to Finland on Saturday. "Sweden are the team we want to meet, so we are satisfied to be playing them," Klaveness said. "I am very surprised to see Finland advancing, very well done and congratulations to them."

'We can beat them'
So the 2001 runners-up it is, and Stensland, 23, believes Norway can reach their first final since 1993 - when they defeated Italy 1-0. "Sweden are a tough team," she said. "But I think we can beat them."