Norway survive Swiss fightback

Norway survived a nervous final few minutes to hang on for a 2-1 victory over Switzerland today and reignite their hopes of making it into the semi-finals of the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship.
 
First-half goals
Switzerland threw everything at their Group B opponents after substitute Corina Theiler flicked in a header in the 86th minute but first-half goals from lone Norway striker Reidun Nilsen and winger Marit Lyngroth proved enough for three points at the Örebäcksvallen stadium in Båstad.
 
Decider against Denmark
Norway coach Jarl Torske said afterwards that his side would go all out for victory in their final game against Denmark "as a draw will not be enough" following Friday's 2-1 defeat by England. Switzerland also lost on the opening day, 3-0 to the Danes, but they can hold their heads high after proving they can compete with Europe's finest in their maiden appearance in a major tournament.

Problem rectified
Despite playing five in midfield against England, the Norwegians failed to dominate as their three central players were unable to break at pace and put pressure on the English back-line. They rectified that problem with interest today in a superb opening 25 minutes in which they established a two-goal lead.

Sweeping move
In the third minute Nilsen went on a coruscating run past two Switzerland players before playing in Lene Espedal who found Lyngroth on the flank. The winger's dangerous cross was cleared by Nadine Schär with Nilsen well positioned behind her.  Nilsen was not to be denied in the ninth minute, however, as she ran on to a precise through-ball which dissected the defence from Lyngroth, rounded the Swiss goalkeeper, Janine Chamot, and confidently drilled the ball in for the opening goal.

Headed second
The advantage was doubled in the 21st minute following another fine team move. Espedal, diving at full stretch, beat a Swiss player to the ball before composing herself and sending Sissel Strand free down the left. Strand found Nilsen on the edge of the box and she took it around the keeper again but this time her shot ricocheted back into play off the bar where Lyngroth headed it in.

Ruud Solem injured
Nilsen missed a great chance to make it 3-0 just after the hour when Chamot snuffed out the danger at the second attempt. Ten minutes from time Norway lost Kaia Ruud Solem to injury - she was immediately taken to hospital for an x-ray on her ankle - and were forced to play out the game with ten players as all their substitutes had been used. Switzerland took advantage of their superior numbers when Theiler nodded the ball in four minutes from time. It proved too little, too late.

'Most creative player'
A draw would have been harsh on Norway, who dictated the game throughout, but they stood firm for their first victory of the competition. Torske hailed the display of diminutive midfield player Lise-Marie Woods, the architect of much of Norway's finest play. "She was our most creative player and that is why we created so many chances in the first half," said the Norway coach.

'Offensive system'
"We knew Switzerland's midfield was strong offensively but we played 4-5-1 and the wingers and central players pushed further up the field than against England," continued Torske. "It is a very offensive system and I was pleased to see three or four players in the box when we scored our second goal."

'Lots of problems'
Switzerland coach Béatrice von Siebenthal reasoned that her side's poor start to the game cost them any chance of victory. "We had lots of problems in the first 20 or 30 minutes but we came back well," she said. "We didn't create many goalscoring situations, but neither did Norway. We need tournaments like this to continue to improve and I think we will get better."