Berntsen keeps faith with youth

Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen has named an unchanged squad as the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ finalists compete in the prestigious Algarve Cup from 9-15 March.

Training camp
The 20-strong party finished last in a recent four-team tournament in China, but Berntsen hopes a subsequent ten-day training camp in La Manga will have built morale in an inexperienced squad. "The La Manga stay was very useful, not least for getting the players to know their roles on the pitch," he said. "Training under perfect conditions was also an obvious help." Almost all the Norwegian national players are on a scholarship programme, which demands they train at least nine times a week. Berntsen added: "We do train harder and more often than before. We hope this will move us closer to the best teams in the world."

European opposition
Norway, who have lifted the Algarve Cup four times but not since 1998, compete in Group A with games against Sweden, Finland and the side that beat them to the European title, Germany. They then resume their FIFA Women's World Cup campaign, having won all three Group 1 matches to date, with a trip to Greece on 25 March.

Norway squad
Goalkeepers:Christine Colombo Nilsen (Kolbotn IL), Bente Nordby (Djurgården/Älvsjö).

Defenders: Toril Akerhaugen (Asker FK), Marit Fiane Christensen (Røa Idrettslag), Gunhild Følstad (SK Trondheims-Ørn), Maritha Kaufmann (Team Strømmen), Siri Nordby (Røa Idrettslag), Ane Stangeland (Kolbotn IL).

Midfielders: Camilla Hammerø Huse (Kolbotn IL), Tonje Hansen (Kolbotn IL), Leni Larsen Kaurin (Asker FK), Marie Knutsen (Kattem IL), Unni Lehn (SK Trondheims-Ørn), Trine Rønning (Kolbotn IL), Ingvild Stensland (Kolbotn IL).

Forwards: Solfrid Andersen (SK Trondheims-Ørn), Kristin Blystad Bjerke (Kolbotn IL), Lise Klaveness (Asker FK), Lene Storløkken (Team Strømmen), Melissa Wiik (Asker FK).