The Norwegian team was scheduled to meet the Czech Republic later on Tuesday, but that match fell away after two Czech players gave positive corona tests on arrival in Finland and the rest of the team ended up in quarantine.

The Czech Republic had the opportunity to collect reserves, but chose to withdraw from the qualification. Thus, one of the favorites disappeared.

Norway secured a place in the WC qualification of the team of B-group in the EC. The team in the qualification consists of Martine Rønning, Eirin Mesloe, Mille Haslev Nordbye and ship Marianne Rørvik.

Short process

They made a short process with Finland when they scored five points in the 4th round at the score 1-1. The team “stole” another four points in the next three rounds before the Finns gave up.

Kristin Skaslien played on the team that secured promotion to the A-group in the European Championships, but she prioritized charging for the Olympic tournament in mixed doubles and was replaced in the qualification by Mesloe.

Six teams participate in the qualification. Kazakhstan was to host but could not travel due to coronary restrictions.

Reasonable chance

Everyone meets everyone in the basic game. The top two then meet in a battle for a World Cup place, while the loser meets the basic series three in a battle for the last place in the World Cup in Canada.

Norway meets Hong Kong on Wednesday, Denmark and Brazil on Thursday and Latvia on Friday.

– Denmark and the Czech Republic are favorites, but Norway and Latvia are good outsiders. We have a fair chance to manage this if we have a good week, said Norway’s coach Rune Steen Hansen. That was before the Czechs withdrew.

(© NTB)