Norway team guide

Norway have always been there or thereabouts at the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship, but despite reaching three finals they are yet to engrave their name on the trophy.

France proved their undoing in 2003, winning the final 2-0, while there was only one goal in it on French soil five years later as Italy beat them to their maiden title. The margin was disappointingly wider in 2011 when a tiring young side were picked off by Germany, Norway eventually going down to a 7-1 defeat – a record for a final in this competition.

However, Jarl Torske's team failed even to qualify last season and they came within minutes of a repeat this time around. After slumping to a 3-0 loss to England in the second qualifying round, they needed a remarkable last-day turnaround by Hungary against Serbia to edge through as best runners-up – Hungar recovered from 3-1 down with 22 minutes left to win 4-3.

"I am really satisfied that this group of players will get their chance at the finals," said Torske. "They have a lot of potential, and the league season will be in full swing when the finals come along."

Route to finals
First qualifying round: 2-0 Turkey, 2-1 Belarus, 1-0 Scotland (Group 5 winners)
Second qualifying round: 7-0 Hungary, 5-2 Serbia, 0-3 England (Group 4 runners-up)
Top scorers: Mia Voltervik, Guro Reiten (3)

Key players
Mia Voltersvik (forward, Sarpsborg 08 Kvinner), Josefine Ervik (goalkeeper, FK Fortuna Ålesund), Amalie Eikeland (midfielder, Arna-Bjørnar), Andrea Thun (forward, Sarpsborg 08 Kvinner).

Coach: Jarl Torske
Date of birth: 05/06/1949
Playing career: Sunndal
Coaching career: Sunndal, Molde FK (assistant coach), Norway U16/U17, Norway women (assistant coach), Norway women's U19, Norway women's U23

Norway coach Jarl Torske©Sportsfile

Jarl Torske spent almost 30 years with home-town club Sunndal as player and coach before taking up a position at the Football Association of Norway (NFF) in 1995. Initially combining the role with a job as assistant coach at Molde, his first task was to take charge of the boys youth sides – where his talents were soon noted.

In 1997 he was appointed assistant to women's coach Per-Mathias Høgmo and it was in this post that Torske enjoyed his greatest success to date, helping guide Norway to Olympic gold in 2000. It brought another change in job specification as he assumed the helm of the women's U19s, which he has filled ever since.

Torske led the team to UEFA European Women's U18 and U19 Championship finals in 2001, 2003, 2008 and 2011, but silverware has so far eluded him. He has been full time with the NFF since 2006, stepping down from his part-time occupation as a teacher when he took charge of the women's U23 side.

UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship record
2011/12: did not qualify
2010/11: runners-up
2009/10: did not qualify
2008/09: group stage
2007/08: runners-up
2006/07: semi-finals
2005/06: did not qualify
2004/05: did not qualify
2003/04: group stage
2002/03: runners-up
2001/02: group stage

Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship
Runners-up: 2001