EC qualifier in Oslo, September 6, 1998 ======================================= Norway - Latvia 1-3 (1-1) Ullevaal stadion Att: 11 031 0-1 Marians Pahars (11) 1-1 Ståle Solbakken (17) 1-2 Andrejs Stolcers (53) 1-3 Mihails Zemlinskis (pen. 65) Referee: Sergej Sjmolik, Belarus. Yellow card: Olegs Karavajevs (83), Latvia, Ronny Johnsen (87), Norway. Line-ups -------- Norway (4-5-1): Espen Baardsen - Vegard Heggem (Henning Berg from 61.), Erik Hoftun, Ronny Johnsen, Stig Inge Bjørnebye - Ole Gunnar Solskjær (Jostein Flo from 63.), Petter Rudi (Håvard Flo from 80.), Kjetil Rekdal, Ståle Solbakken, Frank Strandli - Tore André Flo. Latvia (4-4-2): Olegs Karavajevs - Mihails Zemlinskis - Juris Laizans (Viktors Lukasevics from 52.), Arturs Zakresevskis, Valerijs Ivanovs - Imants Bleidelis, Valentins Lobanovs, Vladimirs Babicevs, Aleksejs Sarando (Rolands Bulders from 75.) - Andrejs Stolcers, Marians Pahars (Alexandrs Isakovs from 82.). Other matches ------------- 05.09.98 Georgia - Albania 1-0 06.09.98 Greece - Slovenia 2-2 Latvia 1 1 0 0 3- 1 3 ------------------------------------- Georgia 1 1 0 0 1- 0 3 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Greece 1 0 1 0 2- 2 1 Slovenia 1 0 1 0 2- 2 1 Albania 1 0 0 1 0- 1 0 Norway 1 0 0 1 1- 3 0 Match report ------------ A very disappointing and also embarassing start to the Euro 2000 campaign. Three times during the game, Latvia were inside the Norwegian penalty area. And all the three times they scores. Twice after very quick counter- attacks, and once on a penalty after a long through ball, which both central defenders and goalkeeper Baardsen had control over, and should have dealt with. As for Norway, despite a dozen good opportunities, only Solbakken managed to find the net. Especially in the first half, Norway prodiced chance after chance, and very often after good play along the ground. In fact, this half was probably one of the most enjoyable halves I've ever witnessed Norway play in recent years. They attacked at full strength, with both full backs and even the central defenders. And the ball was entirely kept on the ground, with the Norwegians trying to play their way through the Latvian defence. The usual long balls were rarely to be seen. Too bad it didn't result in the two-three goal advantage it should have. In the second half, with everybody waiting for the expected Norwegian win, Latvia shocked the home side twice. First, by taking the lead after Rekdal lost the ball in midfield (under Drillo this would never have happened, as he wouldn't have gotten the ball in the first place...), and then on the penalty. After that Latvia only tried to keep their lead, and the Norwegian play became more static. In the last quarter, all the tall Norwegians were sent forward, but despite several good opportunities, the ball wouldn't end up in the net. The best chance went to H. Flo, who shot straight at the goalkeeper from 5 metres out. It must also be said that Latvia defended well, and in addition used all the time-waisting tricks they knew, which by the way they started using already at 0-0... The weak Belarussian referee never punished them for that until the Latvian goalkeeper was booked late in the second half. When the final whistle went, some people were crying for Drillo to return, which was annoying as Semb should at least be given the chance in a couple of games before he is judged. Also, some people cheered when Rudi was substituted, which was also totally inappropriate despite the Sheff W. player having a very bad game. Now, the next games against Slovania and Albania will be even more crucual than before. A win in Ljubljana is a must, and it will be very interesting to see whether Semb will return to the Drillo way of playing, or whether he will continue his more passing style. This was also Norway's first home defeat in almost 7 years. The last defeat was 2-3 against Czechoslovakia in September 1991. Since then Norway played 28 matches at Ullevaal, and one each at Bislett and Molde without defeat. The game against Latvia was a bitter end to a great record.