Norway hoping to triumph over adversity

After a decade at the Norway helm and three UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship final defeats, Jarl Torske hopes this could be his year – being drawn in a group of death means he must do it the hard way, however.

Norway will kick off their Group B campaign against three-time champions Germany on 30 May, and it does not get any easier either, as the Netherlands and an ever-improving Spain side also lie in wait. "After the draw other coaches told me that our group contained the four best sides in the finals," said Torske. "We can't do anything with that now, only try our best and see where we finish.

"I saw Germany beat Russia 5-0 recently – they are as strong as ever, well-organised and hard to break down. As for the Netherlands, we were lucky to draw against them in qualifying, and they will be another tough side to beat. Like their male counterparts, the Dutch side is good on the ball. Spain also typically play a possession-based style of play. Normally they don't like meeting us but it won't be an easy game."

It could be a crucial one, though, and should Norway come through it would provide the perfect 62nd birthday gift for Torske. "The ultimate goal is, of course, to take home the gold, but our main objective is to advance from the group," he told UEFA.com. "A semi-final spot will take the team to next year's FIFA U-20 World Cup in Uzbekistan, something we really want."

It would also take them to within two games of that "ultimate goal", a target Torske has just missed three times since assuming the women's U19 reins in 2000 – most recently three years ago against Italy in France. Despite being shorn of a key striker after Emilie Haavi's promotion to the senior side for the FIFA Women's World Cup, he believes he has a rich crop of players, technically accomplished and tactically flexible.

"When it comes to key players I need only point to the 1-0 win against England [to finish top of their section in the second qualifying round]," said Torske. "Goalkeeper Ane Fimreite saved a penalty, while Melissa Bjånesøy sneaked the winner – those two are potential match-winners." Norway will need them even to get through Group B – from then on, who knows?