Bronze for the U girls in EYOF
After a narrow semi-final loss against Hungary on Friday evening in the European Youth Olympic Festival (EYOF), the stage was set for the bronze final for the U girls on Saturday. The girls faced Germany, who they lost by a goal to in the group stage, in a tough battle for the bronze medal.
It was even between the two teams in the opening minutes, but Norway had a slight advantage. Both teams stood up well in defence, which resulted in very few goals in the first few minutes of the game. Norway’s goalkeeper Vilde Amalie Klaussen was also a strong contributor to Germany’s few goals. After ten minutes played, the teams were tied at 4-4. After just over a quarter of an hour, Germany went into a two-goal lead for the first time in the match, and Norway took a time-out.
Germany succeeded well with their line play, scoring three goals on the rap from line position. Ten minutes before the break, they thus led 11-9. Norway played fast handball, and equalized at 12-12 shortly after. 15 seconds before the break, Norway took the lead at 14-13, which was also the half-time result.
Linnea Hareton and Norway had a good period at the start of the second half, which was decisive for today’s victory. Photo Svein André Svendsen
After the break, it was the U-girls who were the best of the bunch. This half was also characterized by few goals either way, and after eight minutes the teams had scored only one goal each. Linnea Hareton came forward and got the goal scoring going for Norway. After ten minutes, Norway was thus ahead with three goals at 17-14. Norway got further ahead, and Germany took a time-out.
After 45 minutes, Norway was ahead with as many as 5 goals, after the aforementioned Hareton sat fifth for the day. Norway had the upper hand in Germany in this period, and increased to a full 22-15 minutes before the end. Germany had only scored a goal in 20 minutes of the second half. Germany regained some of the lead, but were never able to catch up to Norway. Norway eventually won 28-23, and thus took a well-deserved bronze medal in the EYOF.
FACTS
European Olympic Youth festival (EYOF) girls – bronze final
Germany–Norway 23–28 (13–14)
That’s it, Slovakia
Norway: Vilde Amalie Klaussen, Nora Isabell Husom Nordstrand 1, Pia Grønstad 4, Ebba Kjetildatter Nossen, Linnea Hareton 5, Zara Johnsson Solberg 1, Jenny Bing Husaas, Synne Olsen 2, Bertine Emilie Sundby Lunde 3, Julie Diesen Soleim 1, Sanna Nord-Varhaug Romvig 2, Frida Molaup Selnes, Thea Kristensen 4, Linnea Maria Ramén, Andrea Nalbant Moe 5.
Top scorer Germany: Lara Sandra Dauble & Marlene Bottcher, 5 goals each
Expulsions: Norway 3×2 min., Germany 3×2 min.
Match report
More about the U girls
More about EYOF