Berntsen springs surprises in Norway squad

Teenage striker Cecilie Pedersen and uncapped midfielder Marit Sandvei are the surprise inclusions in Bjarne Berntsen's Norway squad for the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ finals in Finland.

Youth star
Pedersen, 18, caught Berntsen's eye with five goals in three games in April to help Norway qualify for next month's UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship finals and the Avaldsnes IL striker – still in high school – is the only player included not with a top-flight side. Meanwhile Team Strømmen FK's Sandvei, 22, won four U19 caps in 2006 but has not previously featured for Berntsen, who has included her due to her being naturally left footed as well as her speed and dead-ball acumen.

'Exciting players'
"There are many exciting players in this squad," Berntsen said. "I see this as a good blend of experience and youthful ambition. All the players in this squad have fared well in their league games this year. Sandvei is the only player in the squad with an especially good left foot. She is also very fast, and aggressive in her way of playing. Pedersen is an exciting player, who scores goals at any level she plays. She will also play for the U19s in their European Championship. That we at all were considering a player from the [third-tier] second division speaks volumes for her talent."

Goalkeeping question
The squad also confirmed the absence of Erika Skarbø, who established herself as first-choice goalkeeper last year after Bente Nordby's international retirement but underwent an operation on a wrist fracture in January and is yet to return. Ingrid Hjelmseth and Caroline Knutsen have been used in Skarbø's absence this year, with Christine Colombo Nilsen also included in the squad.

Preparations
Norway, runners-up in 2005, begin their Finland campaign with a rematch of the last final against Germany on 24 August – Iceland and France make up Group B. The 1987 and 1993 champions will have two training camps in Oslo and one in Asgardstrand before visiting Sweden for final preparations and a friendly on 19 August. "The structure in the team needs to be better, offensively and defensively," added Berntsen, who will step down after the finals. "In addition the team needs to get its confidence back after a difficult year so far."

Norway squad
Goalkeepers: Ingrid Hjelmseth (Stabæk IF), Caroline Knutsen (Røa IL), Christine Colombo Nilsen (Kolbotn IL).

Defenders: Hedda Gardsjord (Røa IL), Runa Vikestad (Kolbotn IL), Toril Akerhaugen (Stabæk IF), Trine Rønning (Stabæk IF), Maren Mjelde (Arna-Bjørnar), Marita Skammelsrud Lund (Team Strømmen FK), Camilla Huse (Røa IL).

Midfielders: Ingvild Stensland (Olympique Lyonnais), Anneli Giske (Fløya IF), Lene Storløkken (Team Strømmen FK), Ingvild Isaksen (Kolbotn IL), Marit Sandvei (Team Strømmen FK).

Forwards: Leni Larsen Kaurin (1. FFC Turbine Potsdam), Solveig Gulbrandsen (Stabæk IF), Elise Thorsnes (Røa IL), Melissa Wiik (Stabæk IF), Isabell Herlovsen (Kolbotn IL), Kristin Lie (SK Trondheims-Ørn), Cecilie Pedersen (Avaldsnes IL).