Slovenia comeback thwarts Slovakia

Slovakia pipped
After two rounds of matches in a tournament marked by the historic presence of an extra assistant referee behind each byline and attended by UEFA President Michel Platini, Norway had six points, mini-tournament hosts Slovenia and Slovakia three and Armenia were yet to get off the mark. Norway lost 1-0 to Slovakia while Slovenia overcame a two-goal deficit to beat Armenia 3-2, leaving the top three to be separated on their results against each other. By that reckoning, Norway and Slovenia prevailed on goal difference but Slovakia could join them in the Elite round if they end up as one of the two third-placed teams in the 13 groups with the best record against the leading pair.

Norway victory
The section did not start well for Slovakia as they trailed Armenia 1-0 at half-time through Albert Tadevosyan. But Martin Guldan equalised just past the hour and, with Armenia's Artak Antonyan sent off, substitute Robert Valenta edged Slovakia ahead with five minutes left before Ján Vlasko converted an added-time penalty. Norway defeated Slovenia 4-2 thanks to goals in the last six minutes from Håvard Nordtveit and Mads Stokkelien. Jo Inge Berget had given Norway an early lead and although Martin Milec and Antonio Delamea Mlinar turned the game, Nordtveit levelled just before the break.

Matchday 3 drama
Slovenia recovered two days later to defeat Slovakia 2-0 with second-half goals from Armend Spreco and Robert Berić. Norway opened up a three-point lead thanks to Nordtveit's 38th-minute goal against Armenia, meaning they could afford a narrow loss to Slovakia, who won 1-0 through Vlasko. That did not prove enough for Slovakia to ensure their place in next spring's Elite round, though, as Slovenia recovered from goals from Armenia's Sargis Aroyan early in each half to win thanks to strikes by Anel Omerović, Rajko Rep and René Krmin.