[ad_1]
– They have lost their most important player (Estavana Polman), while we have recovered ours. I would have been disappointed if we couldn’t have won today, says Nora Mørk.
Norway had never lost to the Netherlands before being beaten 30-28 at the World Cup in Japan a year ago. Then the Netherlands became world champions, and the Norwegian women’s handball team had to settle for the bitter fourth place.
This year’s European Championships look very different. Norway held out at first, but pulled away towards the break. In the end, they won by seven goals and stand with six points in the main round. The Netherlands follow two, and the road to the semi-finals is further away.
– yell and yell a lot
Norway ran the rival almost in rags in the first half, and with a good defensive game only conceded 10 goals before the break.
– There is a class difference between Norway and the other teams they play against. When they engage the turbo, no one can stop them, says NRK expert Geir Oustorp.
The Dutch players seemed increasingly frustrated. Top scorer Nora Mørk contributed more, scoring on five of six penalties.
– I don’t think the Dutch players are so fond of me, because I yell and yell a lot. They complained a lot when it was seven meters when I screamed and screamed, I wanted to be dangerous at the finish line today, so I am very happy, admits Mørk.
– Nora said she’s a bit good at making jumping sounds. Not everyone is equally good at it, and then she is often hated a little more for it, says Stine Bredal Oftedal with a smile.
CENTRAL Nora Mørk was not at the World Cup last year, but she was involved in many things for Norway against the Netherlands. She scored eight goals and was named the best in the field.
Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB
Norway were up with an 11 goal lead with less than half remaining. Thorir Hergeirsson took the opportunity to make several changes, but despite a bit of a fuss, it was too late for the Netherlands to change the situation.
Group final against surprise
However, the Norwegian players did not feel that everything turned out as they wished.
– It’s a strange feeling. I felt like the game was going a bit in “slow motion” for some strange reason. It worked out well at first, but they are good at plays to the limit that are a bit difficult to carry, says Marit Malm Frafjord.
Hardtop: Stine Bredal Oftedal fights for the ball.
Photo: Vidar Ruud / NTB
– It was a long battle. It’s a bit like that when you’re in control. The second half is very, very slow. We were eager to finish. Some matches are like that, says Mørk.
– There were some things that did not work at the top today. It really was a bit slower than we expected from both teams. So it’s very good to win by seven goals, says Frafjord.
Norway’s next game is against the Euro Cup which surprises Croatia on Saturday. They also have a full pot.
– You go incredibly far in handball with having the will and giving it your all, because they may not have the best skills. I like that they fight with the heart outside the suit. But we will accept them, says Mørk.
– Now we are floating on a wave and we just have to take it with us, says Oftedal.
