Time to go one better

Perfect record
They reached the final of this event for the second time in three seasons last summer, and with this year's UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship held in neighbouring Finland, they will hope to go one better. Indeed, only France - Norway's conquerors in the 2003 final in Leipzig - matched their feat of winning six games out of six in qualifying.

THE COACH:
The 55-year-old Jarl Torske played for Sunndal IL for 15 years from 1965-80 before coaching the club. He began working for the Norwegian Football Association in 1992 and was assistant coach of the men's Under-16 and Under-17 teams in the mid-1990s. As assistant coach of Norway's women's squad, he was on the bench as they won gold at the Sydney Olympics before taking charge of the Under-18s. He led them to second place at the UEFA European Women's U18 Championship in 2001 before the age group change.

ROUTE TO THE FINALS:
Travelling to Portugal for first qualifying round Group B2, Norway started by beating Serbia and Montenegro 2-0. It was to prove their toughest game. Two days later Estonia were dispatched 11-0, Melissa Wiik claiming a hat-trick, and progress was sealed as three late goals clinched a 4-0 win against the hosts. Hosting second qualifying round Group A4, Norway defeated Austria 4-2, then claimed a 2-1 win against Ukraine thanks to Guro Knutsen's 83rd-minute goal. The midfield player's last-gasp effort capped a 2-0 victory against Russia which confirmed Norway as group winners, even though a draw would have been enough.

HONOURS:
UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship
Runners-up 2001
UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship
Runners-up 2003