Norway team guide
Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Article summary
Norway took the rough with the smooth in qualifying as Nils Lexerød guided them through at his first attempt.
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Norway started life without long-time coach Jarl Torske in sure-footed fashion, edging out Scotland to finish top of their qualifying group and then opening their elite round campaign with an impressive performance against England.
The match eventually ended in a draw after England's 94th-minute penalty was retaken and converted five days later following a refereeing mistake but Norway were already through – as best runners-up.
"We have been good throughout, especially against England when we showed we can measure up to the top sides," said coach Nils Lexerød, whose team also beat Germany at La Manga in March.
"It bodes well for the summer and the girls' aim for a medal at the European Championship."
Route to finals
Qualifying round: 3-0 Poland, 11-0 Albania, 0-0 Scotland
Elite round: 2-2 England, 2-0 Switzerland, 8-1 Northern Ireland
Top scorer: Maria Hiim (5)
Key players
Marit B Lund (defender, Kolbotn IL), Vilde Hasund (forward, Røa IL), Johanne Fridlund (forward, Vålerenga FB)
Coach: Nils Lexerød
Date of birth: 07/03/1976
Playing career: Kvik Halden FK, Kolbotn IL, Rakkestad IF, IF Borg
Coaching career: Sarpsborg 08 (assistant), Kvik Halden, Norway women's U19
Lexerød made his name as an assistant at Sarpsborg during their rise from the third tier to the men's top flight at the back end of the last decade. He then moved to newly promoted second division team Kvik Halden, initially as sporting director before two seasons as head coach. He was appointed in summer 2014 as successor to long-term boss Torske, Lexerød's first post in women's football.
UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship record
2013/14: semi-finals
2012/13: group stage
2011/12: did not qualify
2010/11: runners-up
2009/10: did not qualify
2008/09: group stage
2007/08: runners-up
2006/07: semi-finals
2005/06: did not qualify
2004/05: did not qualify
2003/04: group stage
2002/03: runners-up
2001/02: group stage
Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
UEFA European Women's Championship
Winners: 1987, 1993
Runners-up: 1989, 1991, 2005, 2013
UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship
Runners-up: 2001