Strong Norway side for qualifiers

Norway coach Bjarne Berntsen has named a virtually full-strength squad for their opening UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ qualifiers against Israel and Austria next week.

Experienced lineup
Berntsen's side go to Israel on 17 June before a home tie with Austria four days later, their only Group 6 fixtures before the FIFA Women's World Cup campaign in China later this summer. The most notable absentee from the squad, which contains no uncapped players, is influential midfielder Ingvild Stensland, out with a knee injury. Among the 18 names are seven that started the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ final defeat by Germany. They warmed up last week with a 1-1 draw against Finland.