National stadium
Spectators: 10300 (Terracing: 7725,
Seating: 2369, VIP seats: 206) Slavoljub Pivk made an important save on a dangerous shot by Hans Andersen in the 2nd minute. In the 4th minute Norway were awarded a corner. Kent Valen went to the cornerflag to take it. Kent Valen made a great header on Norway's corner, it was just that Slovenia's Slavoljub Pivk managed to reach the ball for a save. 5 minutes into the game, Hans Andersen recieved a splendid long ball, split the defenders, and gently placed the ball to the left of Slavoljub Pivk. Hans Andersen showed that you don't have to tear a hole in the net to score, 1-0. Hans Andersen could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 8th minute of the match, but Slavoljub Pivk made a huge save. Slavoljub Pivk made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Hans Andersen in the 10th minute of play. Norway's Kenneth Smeland played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Animo Mrvar in the 11th minute of play. An unexpectedly hard shot by Animo Mrvar in the 12th minute of play forced Norway's goalkeeper Kenneth Smeland to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. 13 minutes had been played when some careless play by Norway's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Janne Klenovšek was slow to take the kick. During this time Slovenia's players had a chance to rest. Norway's Marius Kaupang got a good chance for a goal in the 15th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. A sloppy throw-in by Mladen Ovsec in the 18th minute of the game went astray and was snapped up by Norway's Endre Minde. Kenneth Smeland took care of the ball after a well-directed shot from Jan Dremelj, even though the ball almost passed him on his left side. 21 minutes had been played when some careless play by Norway's defense caused the ball to cross the line for a corner. Janne Klenovšek was slow to take the kick. During this time Slovenia's players had a chance to rest. After taking down the ball on Slovenia's corner Egidij Živković fired away a hard shot, but the defenders efficiently covered the most dangerous angles and Kenneth Smeland quite easily take care of the ball. Norway's Kenneth Smeland played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Animo Mrvar in the 24th minute of play. With a couple of smart ball manuevers Animo Mrvar in the 27th managed to get into a good position. With a left leg Kenneth Smeland saved Norway from getting behind. In the 28th minute of the match, Marius Kaupang tried to roll the ball into the goal by the right post, but Slavoljub Pivk saw his intentions and got control of the ball before it passed the line. Slovenia's defense didn't have a chance, in the 29th minute, when Marius Kaupang scored to the left of an out of position Slavoljub Pivk, making the score, 2-0. Marius Kaupang fired away a screaming shot towards the goal in the 34th minute, but the shot went just over the crossbar without Slavoljub Pivk having to interfere. 36 minutes into the match, Slovenia's goal looked a bit too open when Marius Kaupang came free, but Slavoljub Pivk reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 38th minute of the match Norway got a corner. Slovenia's goalie ran out to the linesman to protest the call, but the linesman resolutely pointed his flag at the cornerflag. Kent Valen ran over to the corner to take the kick. The corner ended in Olaf Knutsen almost managing to get the ball behind the net, but Slovenia's Slavoljub Pivk did a great save. Slavoljub Pivk showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Endre Minde in the 42nd minute of the match. Norway's Marius Kaupang got a good chance for a goal in the 43rd minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Norway's Marius Kaupang got a good chance for a goal in the 45th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. The supporters of Slovenia booed when Norway was adjudged a doubtful freekick after 46 match minutes in a wonderful position. John Stokka didn't get a good kick on the ball. The home fans were very happy to see their team leading 2-0 at half-time.
The players of the home team were most fresh-looking when they entered the field to play the second half. Animo Mrvar was the one to do the kick off. Norway's Kenneth Smeland proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 50th minute of the match, managed to save Norway from getting a goal against them. Kenneth Smeland was a little too slow when Animo Mrvar got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 50th minute. The score was now 2-1. Kenneth Smeland was a little too slow when Animo Mrvar got a fine hit on the ball which went right into the goal in the 57th minute. The score was now 2-2. Mladen Ovsec hit a great freekick 63 minutes into the match. Slavoljub Pivk showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Marius Kaupang in the 65th minute of the match. Slavoljub Pivk showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Marius Kaupang, who was totally free with the ball in the 66th minute. 71 minutes into the match, Slovenia's goal looked a bit too open when Marius Kaupang came free, but Slavoljub Pivk reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. In the 73rd minute Marius Kaupang shot on, it seemed, an open goal, but Slavoljub Pivk saw the ball coming and threw himself on it before it passed the goal line. Slavoljub Pivk showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Marius Kaupang, who was totally free with the ball in the 75th minute. When Norway's Hans Andersen in the 78th minute got a chance for a shot 78th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Slovenia's goalie prevented a goal. In the 80th minute, Hans Andersen made a precise shot to the right of Slavoljub Pivk. Slovenia's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 3-2. Slovenia made a substitution. Jovan Mencin replaced Žani Prešern. Animo Mrvar in the 85thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Kenneth Smeland, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. Slavoljub Pivk showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Marius Kaupang in the 87th minute of the match. 89 minutes into the match, Norway's goalkeeper Kenneth Smeland had to clear away a ball on his right side after a cunning shot by Animo Mrvar. After 90 minutes of play, Norway's Hans Andersen made it 4-2 when he simply outclassed the defender marking him and hit a curling shot into the right side of the net. Slavoljub Pivk was left in no man's land by his defense there! The home crowd let out a huge roar when the referee blew for the end of the game. Norway were victorious despite being under pressure from Slovenia for much of the match.
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