A strong home team put Norway’s goal under pressure and took the lead in the 17th minute when Amine Adli scored from what looked like an offside position.

Norway didn’t get many chances in Caen, but Christos Zafeiris had a big one at the end of the first half. An excellent save by France’s goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier prevented scoring.

France had the most chances, including a post shot by Kouadio Koné just before the break.

Norway closed up again in the second half, but did not make much progress even before good play led to the equaliser. Substitute Tobias Christensen slotted in from the right. Zafeiris hit a smart direct pass in the back room which Strømsgodset player Hove started correctly and scored alone with the goalkeeper.

The Norwegian U21 team sent several players to the A national team during the November meeting, but delivered a strong result in the first of two games. On Tuesday, the Czech Republic will face Spain.

KFUM Oslo’s centre-back Aaron Kiil Olsen entered his first game with the flag on his chest, when he replaced Brann’s Ole Martin Kolskogen after 24 minutes.

[ Ohi matchvinner for Norge da Irland ble slått 2-1: – Selvfølgelig deilig ]

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Match facts:

Men’s national football match Saturday:

France U21 – Norway U21 1-1 (1-0)

Caen, France

Goal: 1-0 Amine Adli (17), 1-1 Johan Hove (83).

Yellow card: Khephren Thuram (90), France.

Norway (4-4-2): Kristoffer Klaesson – Sebastian Sebulonsen (Fredrik Oppegård from 77.), Henrik Heggheim, Ole Martin Kolskogen (Aaron Kiil Olsen from 24.), Warren Kamanzi (Tobias Christensen from 46.) – Johan Hove, Christos Zafeiris, Kristian Arnstad, Emil Konradsen Ceïde (Seedy Jatta from 77.) – Noah Holm (Osame Sahraoui from 63.), Erik Botheim.

Unused reserves: Magnus Sjøeng – Mathias Kjølø, Joshua Kitolano, Robin Dahl Østrøm, August Mikkelsen.

Norway meets the Czech Republic on Tuesday in San Pedro del Pinatar, Spain.

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