Germany - Norway 18-26 (9-16)

By Thomas Berndt
The Norwegians were under pressure when they walked onto the court today after the tie against Spain yesterday. But when the match was over the score board revealed an eight-goal win to Norway, which they had deserved.

In the goal Mimi Kopperud Slevigen, with a saves efficiency of 47%, had the German 9-metre shooters under control and adding to this a strong Norwegian defence the result became a well-working fast break play, nothing like the one seen yesterday. Janne Tuven in particular showed excellent form and became top scorer for Norway with six goals. Norway scored a total of six goals on fast breaks, five of them in the first half, and this helped to destroy the German confidence.

Like yesterday against Russia Germany made far too many technical faults, both in assists and shots. The Norwegian game was not without faults and the starting back players Tonje Larsen, Caroline Rosenberg and Katja Nyberg were replaced in the first half by the more successful trio Gro Hammerseng, Anette Johansen and Vigdis Hårsaker.

The six goal lead Norway had secured by the half-time break was maintained throughout most of the second half, when the line players Elsa-Marthe Soerlie-Lybekk and Elisabeth Hilmo proved their strength. As the second half progressed the German morale disappeared, and it reached its low when Hilmo, with two consecutive goals increased the Norwegian lead to 26-16. Norwegian sloppiness and 2 minute suspensions helped the Germans reduce the victory a little.

While the Norwegian assistant coach, Thorir Hergeirsson, had praise for the defence and goalkeeper Mimi Slevigen after the match, the German coach was not pleased.

'We knew that technical faults would be punished and the faults made Norway increase their lead', says the German coach. His team will now have to win their last match against Spain to get to the main round.