Norway surprises Spain

ROTTERDAM, JUNE 14. Norway beat Group C favourite Spain in a tepid Euro 2000 game on Tuesday thanks to a second-half header from Steffen Iversen.

Spain paid the price for failing to make its long spells of possession pay when a kick from Norway goalkeeper Thomas Myhre in the 65th minute bounced once before being met by an arching Iversen.

His looping header from near the edge of the penalty area bounced into the net with Spanish goalkeeper Francisco Molina stranded. It was a perfect example of the direct soccer which Norway used to embarrass Spain whose passing game created nice patterns in the Feyenoord stadium but little danger. For Norway, playing in the European finals for the first time, it was its first goal in four meetings with Spain. It has lost twice and drawn one of the previous three.

Fielding a team filled with players prepared to defend in depth, the much taller Norway made it difficult for Spain, consistent under-performer at major tournaments, to settle into any kind of rhythm.

It had a first half chance when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit the bar with a header and survived one or two scares as the Spanish pressed, but Norway deserved its triumph.

Spain's Raul wasted the best chance of the first period in the 41st minute when he pulled his shot wide with only goalkeeper Thomas Myhre to beat.

For Norway, striker Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hit the bar with a well- directed header after 20 minutes from a cross by Andre Bergdolmo. At the other end, Ismael Urzaiz saw a downward header well saved by Myhre 11 minutes later.

Joseba Etxeberria was cautioned for a foul on Bergdolmo after 18 minutes and the Norway defender responded by collecting a yellow card for a foul on his Spanish opponent.

The goal spurred Spain forward but it created little to trouble Myhre until substitute Gaizka Mendieta went close with a shot the Norwegian keeper kept out at the near post late on.

- Reuters

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Section  : Sport
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