Young Norway depart with promise

At half-time the unthinkable seemed distinctly possible as Norway comfortably led Germany 1-0. However, the holders surged back to win the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ semi-final in Helsinki 3-1 and Norway, having upset the odds just to make it to the last four, are reflecting on how close their young side came.

Young side
Youth, indeed, was a noticeable part of Bjarne Berntsen's squad following a number retirements, most notably since qualification was secured last October. After creeping through the group stage they made their mark with a 3-1 quarter-final defeat of much-fancied Sweden, and proved against Germany that their opening 4-0 loss to the holders was not a true reflection of Norway's talents.

Improvement
"We have improved through the whole championship," captain Ingvild Stensland told uefa.com. "We believed in ourselves before we came here and we are satisfied with our performance, today as well. But it wasn't enough today and that's sad. Tomorrow we will be happy with the championship overall."

Mistakes costly
Norway led on ten minutes through Isabell Herlovsen and seemed the more likely winners before a rapid two-goal burst either side of the hour mark. "In the first half we played very well, we were the better team," Stensland said. "We scored an early goal and Germany were finding it tough to find space to play. We were tactical and worked very hard. In the second half they came out and were really tough, and scored two goals from two mistakes by our side."

Promise
The loss to Germany marked the end of Berntsen's reign, the 52-year-old now stepping aside for Eli Landsem. He led them to the 2005 European final and the last four both here and at the 2007 FIFA Women's World Cup, each time falling to Germany but maintaining Norway's fine record despite the changing squad. Promising performances in Finland not only from previously unknown 18-year-old striker Cecilie Pedersen but other young talents like Maren Mjelde and Anneli Giske have raised hopes that Norway, written off by many before the finals, can continue as a force. Ingrid Hjelmseth, who did not make an appearance during qualifying, also came of age as a goalkeeper.

Tearful goodbye
"I took over a good team but in five years a lot of experienced players have stopped playing," Berntsen reflected. "So I leave a very young and interesting team who can be a threat in the future." Stensland paid tribute to Berntsen, the Olympique Lyonnais midfielder saying: "He has been a perfect coach and it will be sad to say goodbye to him tonight, there are going to be some tears."