Norway defeat Hungary for progress
Saturday, October 17, 2009
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Norway topped UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 3, clinching progress with a 5-1 defeat of hosts Hungary in Tata having already beaten Greece and Croatia.
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Norway topped UEFA European Women's Under-17 Championship qualifying round Group 3, clinching progress with a 5-1 defeat of hosts Hungary.
Hungary pipped
Both Norway and Hungary overcame Croatia and Greece in their opening two matches, setting up a Saturday decider in Tata. And although Norway only needed a point, they produced a comfortable victory to reach the second qualifying round.
Hosts win
Hungary saw a two-goal lead in their opening game against Croatia disappear but Zita Szöke's 41st-minute strike ensured the hosts won 3-2. Norway overcame Greece 5-0 with Anne Marthe Birkeland, Lisa Halvorsen, Andrine Stolsmo Hegerberg, Guro Reiten and Helene Clausen Haavik on target.
Decisive matches
They then beat Croatia 4-0, Guro Reiten scoring twice either side of Nina Thorne and Hegerberg strikes. Szöke, Adrienn Beke and Boglárka Szabó aided Hungary to a 3-0 win against Greece, who then lost 2-0 to Croatia to decide third place. In the match for top spot, Halvorsen's early goal was cancelled out by Szöke but in the second half Thorne, Reiten and substitutes Marie Aarrestad Nesse and Anne Marthe Birkeland took 2008/09 semi-finalists Norway through.