Date:24/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/24/stories/2008082457001700.htm

Sport - Olympic Games

Norway women clinch gold

BEIJING: Norway’s women’s handball team won its first Olympic gold medal on Saturday, overpowering reigning World champion Russia 34-27.

Norway shot to an 8-1 lead after just eight minutes with two goals apiece by Else Lybekk and to Linn-Kristen Riegelhuth and remained comfortably ahead for the rest of the match at the National Indoor Stadium.

“We decided to rush them from the start,” said Norway’s Goreil Snorroeggen. “Today, Russia was not on the same level as us. It was a good day to meet them.”

Russia, which beat Norway in 2007 in the World Championship, was unable to sustain much pressure on the Norwegians, frequently giving up possession and fluffing goal scoring opportunities.

The side rallied toward the end of the first half when two goals by Elena Postnova made the score 18-13, but Norway came out strongly after the break, ending any chance of a comeback.

Norway earned silver medals in 1988 and 1992 and the bronze in 2000.

Earlier, South Korea beat Hungary 33-28 for the bronze medal. — AP