Germany brakes on Norway's dream date

Norwegian threat
"We have played Norway quite a few times and I have just watched a video," Meinert said on the eve of the last-four fixture in Tours. "They play an open game with pacy, technically-skilled forwards on the wings – you don't often find that in women's football. All the players are pacy and that's what makes them really dangerous." Norway demonstrated just what they could do on Sunday when they brought a premature end to France's campaign, overpowering the hosts though a late lapse almost undid their good work. "Our mistakes nearly allowed France to get back into the match," admitted Torske. "It's a shame because it left me with mixed emotions when I should have been celebrating. The crowd will see a very different Norway in the semi-final."

'Difficult game'
Torske's charges will certainly have to be at their best to set up their dream date with Sweden. Not since 2004 have they beaten Germany, a run stretching back seven games. Yet having lost 2-0 in the group stage in Iceland last year, an under-strength Norway side showed how far they have come in 12 months when the sides met in a friendly on the eve of these finals, Germany edging a 3-2 victory. "It was a different Norwegian team," said Meinert. "Half of their players didn't come over to France, but if they can still manage that then we have to be prepared for a difficult game. This year the Norwegian team is strong. Even if they lost in the end, they were the better side against Italy and we are not blinded by the fact that they only made four points in the group stage.

Germany 'beatable'
"They're basically not a team that suits us," she continued. "They have a similar style to Sweden [who Germany drew with in Group B]." That was not something missed by Torske, who admitted his side "can take some hope" from Sweden's success in attacking up the flanks and hurting Germany with the long ball. "We've been fantastic in this tournament," said the 59-year-old, whose squad includes nine survivors from last year compared to their opponents' three. "Now we come up against a strong Germany side but we always give them a good game. They are beatable and hopefully this time we can overcome them."