Norway 2 Finland 1
July 6 – Norway battled to a hard-fought victory 2-1 victory over Finland in Sion to all but guarantee their place at the top of Group A with one match left to play.
With both teams having won their opening matches versus Switzerland and Iceland respectively, the stage was set for someone to announce themselves as definitive group leaders – a title Gemma Grainger’s side were sure to secure.
It took just 120 seconds for Norway to open the scoring through a calamitous own goal by Finland’s Eva Nystrom – mistiming her clearance and accidentally backheeling the ball into an unguarded net with her standing foot. Much of the credit deserves to go to Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen, whose slick 1v1 play caused the Finland defence to face much more attacking creativity than they saw against Iceland four days ago.
Not to be put off by their early misfortune, Finland pushed hard for an equaliser as the first half played out – keeping Norway keeper Cecilie Fiskerstand busy.
Against the run of play, a header by Norway’s Ingrid Engen came off the crossbar in the 23rd minute – a telling reminder of their threat up front. They also came close to scoring direct from a corner a minute later, as a flustered Anna Koivunen struggled to command her box surrounded by taller Norwegian players.
The chances kept coming as Norway regained control, but nothing was finding the net. Minutes after a superb chance for Norway forced a great save out of Koivunen, Finland winger Oona Sevenius capitalised on some sloppiness from the Norwegian defence and rifled a stunning strike into the top right corner to level the score.
Norway coach Grainger was left visibly frustrated at the easiness Finland had at breaking their lines. Smelling blood, the Finnish kept pushing for the goal to put them in control of match, though nothing concrete materialised.
The score remained level heading into half time, where Grainger opted for a double substitution: Vilde Risa and Frida Maanum made way for Lisa Naalsand and young talent Signe Gaupset.
The switch prompted more attacking freedom from Norway. Caroline Graham Hansen was freed up on her favoured right hand side, causing particular issues down that flank as Finland had no answer for her trickery.
Despite the best efforts of Katariina Kosola, who seemed keen to extend her goalscoring run after netting the winner against Iceland, the scoreline refused to budge.
That was until Graham Hansen, a constant threat since freeing her up in the second half, neatly dinked the winner off the post and into the net with just five minutes left to play. Weaving between the Finnish defenders, the FC Barcelona winger was untouchable on her way to goal.
Finland coach Marko Saloranta recognised the challenge his team faced ahead of the matchup: “The fact that both teams won their opening match may affect the game in some sense. Both sides know that in a four-team group another win would almost certainly mean a place in top two. I expect both teams to play bravely and really go for another win.”
Each team showed bravery and desire, but star quality won out to put Norway in the driver’s seat to the knockout rounds.
They will face Iceland in Thun on Thursday. Finland, meanwhile, will face hosts Switzerland in Geneva – a tie which has become a must-win for Saloranta’s side.
| Grp A | W | D | L | F | A | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Norway | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 2 | 6 |
| Finland | 1 | 0 | 1 | 2 | 2 | 3 |
| Switzerland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Iceland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1751837542labto1751837542ofdlr1751837542owedi1751837542sni@g1751837542niwe.1751837542yrrah1751837542