Peerless Norway storm to victory

UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ finalists Norway secured a routine 4-0 win away to Serbia and Montenegro in FIFA Women's World Cup qualifying Group 1. The visitors proved vastly superior, and only the excellent home goalkeeper Vesna Smiljković prevented an even more one-sided scoreline.

Early chances
Serbia and Montenegro made a bright opening and twice threatened the Norwegian goal. Tamara Jovanović and Vesna Smiljković might both have done better with first-half chances. But Norway were soon in command, and took the lead when Solveig Goldbransen reacted quickest to latch on to a cross and head past Smiljković.

Short-passing prowess
The visitors thrived with a techical, short-passing game, and enjoyed almost constant pressure in the second period. Irene Ronning scored twice, while Ane Staneland rounded off the victory with the fourth goal two minutes from the end.

Kirstic 'satisfied'
"I must be satisfied because we played against one of the best teams in the world," said Serbia and Montenegro coach Perica Krstic. "I saw some good phases in our play, and these details allow me to be optimistic."

Italy showdown
Norway have won both their qualifiers so far, and on 29 October play main rivals Italy, as the Scandinavians aim to keep up their record of always qualifying for the World Cup, the highlight being their 1995 triumph. Serbia and Montenegro's second fixture is the same day in Greece.