Hollow victory for Norway

A 3-2 win against Belarus in Borisov was not enough to put Norway into the runners-up slot in UEFA European Under-21 Championship qualifying Group 5. Hallvar Thoresen's side could have finished second if Slovenia dropped points in their final game against Scotland, but a 3-0 win for the former Yugoslav republic put an end to the Nordic team's involvement.

Early goal
Norwegian captain Petter Vargan Moen set up his side's opening goal after just six minutes, providing the cross from the left for Jan-Tore Amundsen to convert, but the Belarussians were back on level terms after 23 minutes when Viacheslav Hleb curled a free-kick over the Norwegian wall and into the net.

Missed chances
Yuri Puntus's men could have scored more as Artyom Kontsevoi failed to convert when left one-on-one with the goalkeeper before Leonid Kovel fired at straight at the Norwegian No1 from close range. Belarus were punished for their profligacy on 36 minutes as Magnus Myklebust put Norway in front again.

Belarussian offensive
Puntus brought striker Vitali Rodionov on for midfielder Aleksandr Pavlov and played with four forwards in the second half. That move quickly paid off as Kontsevoi was first to a rebound to pull Belarus level, but Norway had the last word as midfielder Bjorn-Helge Riise scored their 71st-minute winner.