WC qualifier in Oslo, September 10, 1997
========================================
Norway - Switzerland 5-0 (0-0)
Ullevaal
Att: 22 603
1-0 Jahn Ivar Jakobsen (47)
2-0 Ståle Solbakken (51)
3-0 Dan Eggen (66)
4-0 Egil Østenstad (75)
5-0 Tore André Flo (86)
Referee: Hellmut Krug, Germany.
Yellow card: Jostein Flo (16), Norway, Marco Walker (50), Switzerland.
Red card: Sebastien Fournier (16), Switzerland.

Line-ups
--------
  Norway (4-5-1): Frode Grodås - Gunnar Halle (Alf-Inge Håland from
83.), Henning Berg, Dan Eggen, Stig Inge Bjørnebye - Jostein Flo
(Egil Østenstad from 46.), Ståle Solbakken, Kjetil Rekdal, Petter
Rudi, Jahn Ivar Jakobsen (Frank Strandli from 72.) - Tore André
Flo.

  Switzerland (4-4-2): Stephan Lehmann - Christophe Ohrel (Sebastien
Zambaz from 54.), Stefan Wolf, Stephane Henchoz, Marco Walker -
Rahael Wicky, Murat Yakin, Ciriaco Sforza, Sebastien Fournier -
Stephane Chapuisat (Johann Vogel from 69.), Adrian Kunz (David
Sesa from 60.).


Table
-----
10.09.97        Hungary - Azerbaijan 3-1

Norway           8   6  2  0 21- 2 20
-------------------------------------
Hungary          7   3  2  2  9- 7 11
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Finland          7   3  1  3 10-11 10
Switzerland      7   2  1  4  6-12  7
Azerbaijan       7   1  0  6  3-17  3

11.10.97        Switzerland - Azerbaijan
11.10.97        Finland - Hungary


Match report
------------
As Norway had already qualified for the World Cup finals the game was
of little importance for the home team, but on the other hand of great
importance for the visitors. This really showed in the first half which
was dominated by the Swiss, even after having Fournier sent off for 
retaliation against Jostein Flo after 15 minutes. The visitors created
many chances but somehow managed not to score. Either being denied by 
Grodås or by hitting the framework.

Drillo must have said some not so very nice words at halftime, because
it was a much more determined Norwegian side which began the second
half. After only a couple of minutes the smallest player on the field,
Mini, headed in a Rudi cross. Few minutes later Solbakken was fouled in
the penalty area, but the spot kick from Rekdal was saved by the Swiss
goalkeeper. One minute later, though, Rekdal was to get his revenge,
as a wonderful through ball found Solbakken, who netted with ease.

From then on the Swiss team gave up, and the rest of the match became a
celebration of the place in France'98 for the home team. Three more
goals were added. Eggen scored his frist goal from a Bjørnebye corner
kick, then  substitute Østenstad scored another goal after excellent
one-pass build up by Halle and Rekdal, before Tore Andre Flo finally 
got on the scoresheet once more, sending a defender one way and the
ball under the Swiss keeper.

With this win Switzerland are out of the race for second place, which
is a pity because they showed in the first half that they are not a
bad side. Rarely have Norway been so heavily tested at Ullevaal as in that
half. However, their inability to put away their chances was eventually 
their downfall.