Hegerberg flying after stunner sinks Spain

Strikers thrive on goals, and after scoring a brilliant third for Norway in their 3-1 UEFA Women's EURO 2013 quarter-final defeat of Spain, Ada Hegerberg explained that her confidence had swelled as a result.

The 1. FFC Turbine Potsdam player's effort from the edge of the penalty area was the pick of her nation's goals at the Kalmar Arena, where Even Pellerud's squad have played all of their matches to date and sealed their place in Thursday's Norrkoping semi-final.

Team-mate Solveig Gulbrandsen also got on the scoresheet, albeit more fortuitously, and said she had enjoyed her 90-minute workout in the Swedish sunshine.

Ada Hegerberg, Norway forward
It feels very good [to be through] and it's very important for confidence ahead of the next game. We seemed a little nervous to start with, but we got more into the game after a while and it was very important for us to keep a clean sheet until half-time. We decided to take control of the game in the second half, which we did, and here we are, ready for the semi-finals.

It was a big thing for me emotionally [to score]. I have been working hard in the last few games and I've been waiting to score one for my confidence. As a forward, that is, after all, your job, so it was great to see it go in.

The semi-final is going to be tough. A semi-final is always going to be a battle, but we are going to show that we are capable of making it to the final. Yes, of course [we can dream of the final]. We have come this far and we're not playing a semi-final without the intention of winning.

Solveig Gulbrandsen, Norway midfielder
Spain started out at a high tempo, as expected, and caused us some trouble to start with, but we knew they would tire after a while and leave more space when attacking with many players.

We withstood the pressure to begin with and eventually got more into the match. Ingvild [Stensland] had a great first half, fought well and won a number of balls to our advantage.

My goal wasn't exactly what I meant to do: I just curled it in the left corner. It wasn't quite what I was trying to do, but a goal is a goal.

We've played France before and they are a very good side, so that would be a tough match. We'll see what Denmark can make of it, it would be fun to play them as well and have a Nordic match-up in the semi-final, but we'll take on the team that advances and semi-finals are always tough matches regardless.