WC qualifier in Helsinki, August 20, 1997 ========================================= Finland - Norway 0-4 (0-2) Olympiastadion Att: 35 520 0-1 Ståle Solbakken (9) 0-2 Petter Rudi (12) 0-3 Jostein Flo (49) 0-4 Tore André Flo (85) Referee: Vadim Zjuk, Belarus. Line-ups -------- Norway (4-5-1): Frode Grodås - Gunnar Halle, Henning Berg, Dan Eggen, Stig Inge Bjørnebye - Petter Rudi, Erik Mykland (Frank Strandli from 71.), Kjetil Rekdal (Bent Skammelsrud from 64.), Ståle Solbakken, Jostein Flo (Alf-Inge Håland from 87.) - Tore André Flo. Finland (4-3-3): Teuvo Moilanen - Jussi Nuorela - Kari Rissanen, Marko Tuomela, Jukka Koskinen - Sami Mahlio, Mika Lehkosuo, Jarkko Wiss (Jonatan Johansson from 46.) - Antti Sumiala, Jari Litmanen, Mika-Matti Paatelainen. Table ----- 20.08.97 Hungary - Switzerland 1-1 Norway 6 4 2 0 15- 2 14 ------------------------------------- Hungary 6 2 2 2 6- 6 8 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Switzerland 5 2 1 2 5- 5 7 Finland 6 2 1 3 8-10 7 Azerbaijan 5 1 0 4 2-13 3 Match report ------------ This game was regarded as Norway's toughest obstacle towards France'98, as the Finns had held the Norwegians to a draw in Oslo, but it ended up as one of the easiest strolls in the WC campaign, to the displeasure of the big Finnish crowd in the Olympic stadium. Much was decided by the two early goals, which gave Norway the necessary confidence and on the contrary shocked Finland. The first came from an excellent through-ball from Rekdal to Solbakken, which the latter finished with a well-placed shot. The second was an extraordinary piece of shooting from Rudi, who halflobbed the goalkeeper from all of 30 metres. One of the best goals by a Norwegian player ever. After this opening, the game was virtually over, as Norway rarely let a two-goal lead slip away, and especially not away from home. The Finns were unable to create anything of substance, apart from when Litmanen was on the ball, but one player doesn't make one team. Instead, Norway played some good football, and along the ground also. The static long ball hoofing from the back was nowhere to be seen. Instead the Norwegians varied between short passes which bemused the Finns, and long through-balls when under pressure. Either way, Finland were outplayed. But why is it that Norway only play this game of variation when they have a comfortable lead, when they are clearly capable of playing like that no matter the scoreline? In the second half, any thoughts Finland might have had of a comeback were crushed few minutes into the half, when Jostein Flo exploited a Finnish error to hammer in number three. After that Norway relaxed, and Finland were able to string together some good passes and show some good movements. A goal for the home side would not have been undeserved, but instead Norway added a fourth few minutes from time, in an excellent one-passing move involving Solbakken and Rudi, and finished off by Tore Andre Flo, who scored with ease after rounding the goal keeper. Of the players, especially the midfield and T.A. Flo up front had very good games offencively. Solbakken played his best game for Norway, Jostein Flo was a giant both in the air and along the ground(!), whereas Rekdal was his usual reliable self, before being substituted. Rudi scored a wonder goal and set up the fourth, and Mykland also did his share of work. The only worrying aspect was the defensive display, which could easily have resulted in a Finnish goal. But a lot can probably be explained by the absence of Johnsen, who had to step down on the morning before the game. His substitute, Dan Eggen, didn't have a bad game, but his positioning and pace is not in the class of the Man U defender. Also, the wing backs, Halle and especially Bjørnebye didn't impress too much and allowed Finland some easy chances which they failed to take advantage of. Bjørnebye's left foot is still not in tip top shape, it would seem. With this win Norway have one foot and four toes in the World Cup finals. All that is needed to win the group is either a win in Azerbaijan or at least a point at home against Switzerland. And if Norway don't manage that, they really have no reason to complain. Due to their superior goal difference even two deafeats will be sufficient to finish at least second, and could even be enough to win the group provided that Switzerland drop some points at home to Finland or Azerbaijan. All this is more or less academic, because in practice Norway qualified for France'98 on Wednesday (but don't tell Drillo and his players :-)).