Lucky Norway first into quarter-finals at Euros

The Advertiser

07-07-2025

Norway have ridden their luck again to beat Finland 2-1 and reached the Euro 2025 quarter-finals thanks to Switzerland's later 2-0 victory over now eliminated Iceland.
Caroline Graham Hansen set up the opener and scored the winner in Sion for Norway, who will finish top of Group A whatever happens in the last round of matches on Thursday given head-to-head tiebreakers.
"We managed to get three points somehow, but that's what counts in championships. There's a bit of work to do, but we're winning, which helps," Graham Hansen told NRK as Norway became the first side into the last eight.
The twice champions, very fortunate to beat the Swiss hosts in their opener, took an early lead when Graham Hansen was given too much room on the right and her low cross deflected in off Finland's Eva Nyström.
The Scandinavians then twice hit the woodwork as they looked to increase the lead.
But the Finns also looked dangerous at the other end and it was little surprise when the equaliser came on 32 minutes through a fine strike by Oona Sevenius - all after Norway had carelessly given the ball away.
Finnish dominance continued in the second period and Eveliina Summanen struck the post from distance.
Norway then came back into it and went close through Guro Reiten's overhead kick and Graham Hansen. The tricky winger later found the winner on 84 minutes when her cross went in off the post.
The Barcelona forward has now scored at successive Euros, as well as at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups.
It was hard on Finland who must now wait until the group finale on Thursday when they meet Switzerland in a make-or-break clash for second spot and last-eight qualification.
The Swiss had dominated Norway in their bow as hosts in Basel on Wednesday but left with nothing.
This time in the Bern rain, with a brand new front pairing, Pia Sundhage's side did not let the Icelanders off the hook as Géraldine Reuteler scored on 76 minutes and Alayah Pilgrim netted late on.
They moved level on three points with Finland and left Iceland out of contention on zero.
The hosts looked lacklustre until midway through the first half when Svenja Fölmli headed in a corner via a deflection, but it was ruled out on video review for a block.
Switzerland's Iman Beney then fired just wide and went close with a header either side of the break.
Iceland were always in the game, but Reuteler won it for the jubilant home side after a neat move. Pilgrim then added the gloss for only a second ever Euro win for the Swiss women.
World champions Spain face Belgium and Italy take on Portugal in Group B on Monday with both looking for their second wins.
Norway have ridden their luck again to beat Finland 2-1 and reached the Euro 2025 quarter-finals thanks to Switzerland's later 2-0 victory over now eliminated Iceland.
Caroline Graham Hansen set up the opener and scored the winner in Sion for Norway, who will finish top of Group A whatever happens in the last round of matches on Thursday given head-to-head tiebreakers.
"We managed to get three points somehow, but that's what counts in championships. There's a bit of work to do, but we're winning, which helps," Graham Hansen told NRK as Norway became the first side into the last eight.
The twice champions, very fortunate to beat the Swiss hosts in their opener, took an early lead when Graham Hansen was given too much room on the right and her low cross deflected in off Finland's Eva Nyström.
The Scandinavians then twice hit the woodwork as they looked to increase the lead.
But the Finns also looked dangerous at the other end and it was little surprise when the equaliser came on 32 minutes through a fine strike by Oona Sevenius - all after Norway had carelessly given the ball away.
Finnish dominance continued in the second period and Eveliina Summanen struck the post from distance.
Norway then came back into it and went close through Guro Reiten's overhead kick and Graham Hansen. The tricky winger later found the winner on 84 minutes when her cross went in off the post.
The Barcelona forward has now scored at successive Euros, as well as at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups.
It was hard on Finland who must now wait until the group finale on Thursday when they meet Switzerland in a make-or-break clash for second spot and last-eight qualification.
The Swiss had dominated Norway in their bow as hosts in Basel on Wednesday but left with nothing.
This time in the Bern rain, with a brand new front pairing, Pia Sundhage's side did not let the Icelanders off the hook as Géraldine Reuteler scored on 76 minutes and Alayah Pilgrim netted late on.
They moved level on three points with Finland and left Iceland out of contention on zero.
The hosts looked lacklustre until midway through the first half when Svenja Fölmli headed in a corner via a deflection, but it was ruled out on video review for a block.
Switzerland's Iman Beney then fired just wide and went close with a header either side of the break.
Iceland were always in the game, but Reuteler won it for the jubilant home side after a neat move. Pilgrim then added the gloss for only a second ever Euro win for the Swiss women.
World champions Spain face Belgium and Italy take on Portugal in Group B on Monday with both looking for their second wins.
Norway have ridden their luck again to beat Finland 2-1 and reached the Euro 2025 quarter-finals thanks to Switzerland's later 2-0 victory over now eliminated Iceland.
Caroline Graham Hansen set up the opener and scored the winner in Sion for Norway, who will finish top of Group A whatever happens in the last round of matches on Thursday given head-to-head tiebreakers.
"We managed to get three points somehow, but that's what counts in championships. There's a bit of work to do, but we're winning, which helps," Graham Hansen told NRK as Norway became the first side into the last eight.
The twice champions, very fortunate to beat the Swiss hosts in their opener, took an early lead when Graham Hansen was given too much room on the right and her low cross deflected in off Finland's Eva Nyström.
The Scandinavians then twice hit the woodwork as they looked to increase the lead.
But the Finns also looked dangerous at the other end and it was little surprise when the equaliser came on 32 minutes through a fine strike by Oona Sevenius - all after Norway had carelessly given the ball away.
Finnish dominance continued in the second period and Eveliina Summanen struck the post from distance.
Norway then came back into it and went close through Guro Reiten's overhead kick and Graham Hansen. The tricky winger later found the winner on 84 minutes when her cross went in off the post.
The Barcelona forward has now scored at successive Euros, as well as at the 2019 and 2023 World Cups.
It was hard on Finland who must now wait until the group finale on Thursday when they meet Switzerland in a make-or-break clash for second spot and last-eight qualification.
The Swiss had dominated Norway in their bow as hosts in Basel on Wednesday but left with nothing.
This time in the Bern rain, with a brand new front pairing, Pia Sundhage's side did not let the Icelanders off the hook as Géraldine Reuteler scored on 76 minutes and Alayah Pilgrim netted late on.
They moved level on three points with Finland and left Iceland out of contention on zero.
The hosts looked lacklustre until midway through the first half when Svenja Fölmli headed in a corner via a deflection, but it was ruled out on video review for a block.
Switzerland's Iman Beney then fired just wide and went close with a header either side of the break.
Iceland were always in the game, but Reuteler won it for the jubilant home side after a neat move. Pilgrim then added the gloss for only a second ever Euro win for the Swiss women.
World champions Spain face Belgium and Italy take on Portugal in Group B on Monday with both looking for their second wins.