Håvard Nielsen scored the only goal, and Martin Ødegaard was historic.
NORWAY – BULGARIA 2.1
ULLEVAAL (Aftenposten.no): In one year Norway lost almost everything. But three days is criticism turned into EM optimism.
Norway wins key battle against Bulgaria. Martin Ødegaard (15) became the youngest player at a European Championship qualifier. And not least: Finally experienced audience at Ullevaal another celebration tonight.
A brilliant first half. Followed by a good second half.
There was more than enough to beat Bulgaria 2-1 at home.
– Very, very deserving
Deserved it was also . And when the final whistle sounded sounded “Norway, Norway, Norway” from the stands. The Norwegian players folded around each other and coach coaching staff roared with delight along the sidelines. Optimism about the national team is back.
For now, Norway has acquired a good starting point in the race to be third in their qualifying group and ensure playoff matches for the European Championship finals.
– It was no supermål I must admit, but luckily it went in, say matchvinner Håvard Nielsen.
– It felt really good. I almost got one goal last, so come in today to do it, it felt amazing. There was much back and forth, but we kept well away. It was a game we wanted to win, says Nielsen.
– I think the boys did a brilliant football game. Very, very deserved, says the coaching staff.
Captain Per Ciljan Skjelbred is satisfied.
– Fun for me to get an assist, but it viktgiste is that we won, says he said.
Decisive battle
the coaching staff hinted beforehand that a draw was a result of living with. And there remained many points to fight for.
He had obviously right.
But: The meeting with Bulgaria, an opponent Norway had 0-3-5 against eight trials in Euro or World Cup qualifying, was still the most important in this qualification.
Because: Italy and Croatia is ranked as the best teams and the favorites to take placed first providing direct access to the tournament in France summer 2016.
The battle for third place playoff and the EM will stand between Norway and Bulgaria. And as mutual settlement matters before goal difference could defeat this chilly Monday evening at Ullevaal be very important when qualifying accounts counted.
But there was little fear to track the Norwegian team.
Norway was determined. Norway was right on and aggressive. There was no hesitation and Norway were good at recoveries.
newfound confidence
The start of the game was promising. And it was even better.
13 minutes: Joshua King received a long ball on his chest, put it back to Captain Skjelbred, which took Tarik Elyounoussi the race in the back.
Bulgaria’s defense was unbalanced, Elyounoussi never gave up, the ball and the Norwegian passed the goal keeper Mihaylov, and from close range poked Hoffenheim player finish.
– Nice to get the goal, says Tarik.
nil the first goal in 11 of Høgmoen first 12 caps.
But in the course of three days and two games, Norway had taken the lead in two European Championship qualifiers.
Høgmoen Norway has received much criticism. But within a few days of October than in Norway a team again, a good football team.
So black and white is football.
Norway drove the battle against the Eastern Europeans. Finally it was nice again to be Norwegian on international arena.
daring Norway played with a high tempo and newfound confidence.
Norway controlled. Maybe a little too good control. For it slipped a bit towards the end of the first half. And two minutes before the break went wrong at the corner.
Alexander Tettey failed in the selection and Nikolay Bodurov headed in the equalizer.
The question was how the young Norwegian team would react to the goal against.
Game picture changed character after the break.
The pace was lower, Norway fell lower and Bulgaria seemed satisfied draw.
In early possession Norway lost one dimension of his game. Joshua King injured his back in a shot attempt. The large and bright 22-year-old had to get out and was replaced by Håvard Nielsen.
A mistake turned out, a straight face in, could it go?
The youngest
A short time later, 63 minutes and 14 seconds, people traveled from the chairs at Ullevaal. 15 years young Martin Ødegaard replacing Mats Moller Dæhli and wrote European football history: Drammen he became the youngest player at a European Championship qualifier.
The young man was welcomed with tonight’s second highest cheers roaring exactly six years after his debut in the premier league for Strømsgodset .A few minutes later came an even higher one, when substitute Håvard Nielsen put Norway in the lead.
Skjelbred let out to Martin Linne. The left back put in front of goal where Nielsen finish with his left foot was cash.
– He pushed down a ball flicked up. Such does a goalgetter. It’s fun to see the effectiveness of the strikers. We have put extreme focus on developing skills goalscorer in the team, and fun that we get paid for it, says the coaching staff.
Norway led again. Now it was about dismay, secure the three points.
It managed Norway. The job was done. And the victory was deserved.
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