Seven goals from Kristina Novak in victory over Brazil
Norway were big favorites ahead of the match, and could use the last warm-up match before the EC to train on details ahead of the championship.
However, Brazil were on the cutting edge from the start, and were in the lead during the first ten minutes of the match. Goals from Stine Skogrand and Henny Ella Reistad, plus a save from Silje Solberg-Østhassel ensured balance in the scoreboard at 5-5.
Silje Solberg-Østhassel. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB
Twice Brazil took the lead, followed by a Norwegian equaliser, before Norway was back in the lead 8-7 through Kristine Breistøl just over halfway through the half.
It also continued smoothly in the last quarter, with few goals and several technical errors from both teams. The teams took a break at 11-11.
The defensive game had worked well, but Norway had a bit to go on in attack.
From 14-14, Kristina Novak, Anniken Wollik and Novak made sure again, to send Norway up 17-14. Norway’s attacking game began to take shape. A save and a counterattack later, Norway was soon four goals ahead of Brazil.
Kristina Sirum Novak was good against Brazil. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB
The Norwegian girls were unable to continue pulling away from the Brazilians, instead the yellow-blue slowly but surely got a goal behind again, 20-19. Then there were ten minutes left to play.
Fortunately, Kristina Novak made it 22-20 for Norway. She then had six goals in attempts.
If one had thought in advance that Norway could win by a larger margin and practice European Championship details, it instead became a new exercise in winning regular matches. In the last seven minutes, it became easier for Norway to increase the distance to Brazil.
Kristina Sirum Novak showed herself well in the last match in the Intersport Cup.
– It was a tough match against Brazil, but it was fun to have a good match today. It has been fun playing in Stavanger, it was almost like playing at home, she told TV 2 after the match.
Henny Ella Reistad scored four goals on fire attempts against Brazil. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB
The Intersport Cup started with a loss to the Netherlands on Thursday, while there was a victory over Denmark on Saturday.
The next match is the opening match of the EC against Croatia, Friday 4 November. The match will be broadcast on TV3.
FACTS
Intersport Cup
Norway–Brazil 27-22 (11-11)
DNB Arena, Stavanger
Top scorer Norway: Kristina Novak 7
Top scorer Brazil: Adriana Cardoso De Castro 7
Expulsions: Norway 1×2 min., Brazil 2×2 min.
See full match report
More about the Intersport Cup
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