logo
Graham Hansen strikes late as Norway beat Finland 2-1 in Women's Euros

Graham Hansen strikes late as Norway beat Finland 2-1 in Women's Euros

Straits Times17 hours ago
Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox
SION, Switzerland - A late solo strike by Norway forward Caroline Graham Hansen secured a 2-1 victory against Finland in the Women's European Championship on Sunday, as the twice champions took a big step towards qualifying for the quarter-finals.
Norway's second Group A win in a row left them top of the table with six points. Finland, who beat Iceland in their opening game, remained on three points.
Eva Nystrom's own goal put Norway in the lead after three minutes after Graham Hansen's cross into the goalmouth hit the Finland defender and slid into the net.
The Norwegians pushed to double their lead and were unlucky not to score again when they hit the woodwork twice within a minute, with Ingrid Engen's close-range header striking the crossbar shortly before Finland goalkeeper Anna Koivunen tipped Vilde Boe Risa's corner onto the far post.
But Finland equalised in the 32nd minute, when midfielder Oona Siren found forward Oona Sevenius with a precise through ball. Sevenius hammered a left-foot shot into the top right corner to score her first goal for Finland since April 2024.
However, Graham Hansen stepped up to seal the win in the 84th minute, fooling two defenders with quick dribbling as she moved in from the right and dispatched a shot that hit the far post before finding the net.
Norway, who beat Switzerland in their opening game, could have a place in the quarter-finals confirmed with a top-two finish in the group if the hosts beat Iceland later on Sunday, or if the match results in a draw.
Finland face Switzerland on Thursday when Norway play Iceland. REUTERS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Singapore's Venus Lim claims 10-ball title at Commonwealth Billiards C'ships
Singapore's Venus Lim claims 10-ball title at Commonwealth Billiards C'ships

Straits Times

timean hour ago

  • Straits Times

Singapore's Venus Lim claims 10-ball title at Commonwealth Billiards C'ships

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Singapore's Venus Lim (left) won the Commonwealth Billiards Championships 10-ball title, while compatriot Audrey Chua was second in the snooker competition. SINGAPORE – Down 2-5 in a race to seven racks within 100 minutes, Singapore's Venus Lim found herself with a mountain to climb in the Commonwealth Billiards Championships women's 10-ball final against India's two-time world snooker champion Chitra Magimairaj. But the 22-year-old pulled off a remarkable comeback in Mauritius on July 6 to tie the score at 5-5, before prevailing 4-2 in a shoot-out to score the biggest triumph of her career. She told The Straits Times: 'I took a timeout at 2-5 down and told myself to cool down, take my chances for each ball and rack, and enjoy the process. I controlled my breathing and tried to concentrate on the game and not on the rack difference. 'But as much as I wanted to fight back, I also thought the three-rack deficit was too much to overcome. Furthermore, she has just the nine and 10-ball to clear in the eighth rack to move within a rack of victory. 'I thought she would pot them, but she left the nine-ball hanging around the pocket. I took my chances well and fought back into the match to take it to the penalty shoot-out.' After dabbling in bowling and badminton, Lim found a new interest on the baize after being introduced to pool by her older brother when she was 17. Upon graduating with a diploma in applied chemistry from Republic Polytechnic, she began playing pool full-time in March. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses Singapore Fewer marriages in Singapore in 2024; greater marital stability for recent marriages Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Asia 72-year-old man on diving trip to Pulau Tioman in Malaysia found dead on the beach Singapore $1.46b nickel scam: Ng Yu Zhi opts to remain silent after judge calls for his defence Asia Bali flights nixed after huge Indonesia volcano eruption Life How to cope with the heat when travelling: 5 expert-backed tips She said: 'At first, I was just curious about how this sport works, and was not really passionate about pool. But over time, I realised I have some talent and it brings me so much joy when I take my cue out and play. 'To win this final feels unreal, and I feel so happy with my first overseas win and I hope there is more to come.' Compatriot Audrey Chua also recorded her best result in her budding career, as the 37-year-old reached the snooker final at the same event at The Ravenala Attitude Balaclava, before losing 2-0 to England's world No. 5 Rebecca Kenna. The Catholic High School primary school teacher played pool when she was an undergraduate, but started snooker only in 2025. She said: 'I'm still taking it all in, and it feels quite surreal. I honestly didn't expect to reach my first final, especially since I started playing snooker only five months ago. It's definitely a milestone I'll treasure. Although I lost 2–0, the experience was invaluable. Competing with someone of Rebecca's calibre was both humbling and deeply inspiring. 'Snooker is quite different as it required me to relearn many things, like adjusting my stance, changing my stroke, and getting used to the larger table. Balancing training with a full-time teaching job is also challenging, but it's been incredibly rewarding.' Lim and Chua's breakthrough is a welcome boost for the Singapore women's cuesports scene, as they aim to represent the Republic at more international tournaments. Cuesports Singapore president Christopher Chuah said: 'While our male athletes like Aloysius Yapp (pool), Peter Gilchrist (English billiards) and Jaden Ong (snooker) are continuing to fly our flag high in the international arena, our ladies have proven that they are also up to the mark. 'Audrey Chua reached the finals and lost out only to a former professional snooker player, while Venus went one step further to clinch gold for Singapore in a nail-biting finish against a top Indian pool player. Their performance augurs well for Singapore and will undoubtedly spur our other female athletes to attain greater heights in the international arena.'

Butler's Bangladeshi battlers secure historic Women's Asian Cup spot
Butler's Bangladeshi battlers secure historic Women's Asian Cup spot

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Butler's Bangladeshi battlers secure historic Women's Asian Cup spot

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox Few expected Bangladesh to stamp their ticket to the Women's Asian Cup at a qualifying tournament last week after a year in which they had failed to win a game and lost some of their most experienced players. Ranked 128th in the world and 25th in Asia, the Bengal Tigresses headed to Myanmar without all-time top-scorer Sabina Khatun, who led a walk out in protest at English coach Peter Butler in February. Bangladesh defied the odds, however, by winning all three games in Yangon to top their group and secure one of only 12 spots in Australia next year, their first appearance at the continental tournament. "I'm really proud of the players ... these girls have sacrificed a lot," Butler told Reuters on Sunday, before flying to Dhaka where a large crowd gathered late at night to welcome the team home. "They were put through the mill and they have reaped the rewards." Butler, a former West Ham United midfielder who has spent two decades coaching clubs and national teams across Asia and Africa, took over in March last year. "When I came into the national team ... some of the players were picking themselves," the 58-year-old said. Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses Singapore Fewer marriages and births in Singapore in 2024; greater stability for later cohorts Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Asia 72-year-old man on diving trip to Malaysia's Pulau Tioman found dead on the beach Singapore $1.46b nickel scam: Ng Yu Zhi opts to remain silent after judge calls for his defence Asia Bali flights nixed after huge Indonesia volcano eruption Life How to cope with the heat when travelling: 5 expert-backed tips "There was no discipline. Unfortunately, if there's no discipline, you're really on the road to nowhere." Butler introduced a new training regimen and tried to bring through some younger talent, leading to the rebellion of a group of established players. They sent a letter to the federation calling for Butler's dismissal and accusing him of favouritism, dividing the team, making inappropriate comments about their personal lives and insulting them. "No coach likes to be accused of things that are totally unfounded and untrue," Butler said. "It was lies, more lies, and it seems like it's never going to end. It can be tedious and tiring. "I didn't have a personal agenda... at the end of the day, what I've done has been for the betterment, the good of Bangladeshi football." The rebellion fizzled out when the players signed new contracts in March, although Khatun, Sanjida Akhter and Masura Parvin have not played for the country since. 'A COMPETITIVE EDGE' Butler ploughed on with his new regimen, placing a big focus on fitness and making big demands on the players. "It had five o'clock wake-up calls, six o'clock starts, 90-minute sessions, high-tempo, high-intensity. Not easy," he said. "I think it was a defining moment of change in Bangladesh football when discipline came into the forefront where previously there was none." In a culture where seniority is highly prized, he also continued with his mission to bring younger talent through to complement the veterans. More than half of the squad he picked for last week's qualifying tournament were under 20 years old, players he said were previously not given an opportunity. "Young players bring a competitive edge... it takes people out of their comfort zones. That's what I've done, I've shaken it up," he said. Bangladesh started their Asian Cup qualifying campaign with a 7-0 win over Bahrain, but the real test for Butler's team arrived when they took on hosts Myanmar in a decisive battle for the group's single qualifying slot. Ritu Porna Chakma, one of the rebel players, scored a brace to secure a 2-1 win over Myanmar, ranked 55th in the world. Bangladesh rounded out their group games with a 7-0 win over Turkmenistan on Saturday. "Our brand of football really surprised a lot of people," Butler said. "You've got to have the belief, and I had the belief in my players." Butler, however, was not sure whether he would continue in his role, with his contract ending soon. "I don't even know if I'll be in charge going into the next tournament. I don't know what my future holds," he said. "Whether I'm there or not there is not important. I've achieved what I set out to achieve... we got there, and it's history. "I'd like to think I've helped change the women's football landscape in Bangladesh." REUTERS

Wimbledon day eight
Wimbledon day eight

Straits Times

time2 hours ago

  • Straits Times

Wimbledon day eight

Sign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inbox FILE PHOTO: Tennis - Wimbledon - All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain - July 5, 2025 Serbia's Novak Djokovic in action during his third round match against Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic REUTERS/Toby Melville/File Photo Highlights of the eighth day at the Wimbledon tennis championships on Monday (times GMT): 1006 PLAY UNDER WAY Play began under overcast skies at the All England Club, with the temperature hovering around 17 degrees Celsius (62.6°F) and expected to climb to 21 degrees, and cool and dry conditions expected throughout the day. READ MORE: PREVIEW-Milestone hunter Djokovic set for De Minaur test Sabalenka stands tall, Norrie survives to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals You cannot be serious! Wimbledon line-calling system under fire after major glitch Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore Eligible S'poreans to get up to $850 in GSTV cash, up to $450 in MediSave top-ups in August Singapore Four golf courses to close by 2035, leaving Singapore with 12 courses Singapore Fewer marriages and births in Singapore in 2024; greater stability for later cohorts Singapore Construction starts on Cross Island Line Phase 2; 6 MRT stations in S'pore's west ready by 2032 Asia 72-year-old man on diving trip to Malaysia's Pulau Tioman found dead on the beach Singapore $1.46b nickel scam: Ng Yu Zhi opts to remain silent after judge calls for his defence Asia Bali flights nixed after huge Indonesia volcano eruption Life How to cope with the heat when travelling: 5 expert-backed tips Anisimova ends Czech three-peat hopes with victory over Noskova Alcaraz resists red-hot Rublev to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals Norrie sees off ace-monster Jarry in thriller to reach last eight Siegemund stops lucky loser Sierra to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals Sabalenka passes Mertens test to reach Wimbledon quarter-finals Pavlyuchenkova beats Kartal to reach last eight despite line-calling glitch WIMBLEDON ORDER OF PLAY ON MONDAY (prefix number denotes seeding) CENTRE COURT (Play begins at 1230 GMT) 11-Alex de Minaur (Australia) v 6-Novak Djokovic (Serbia) 7-Mirra Andreeva (Russia) v 10-Emma Navarro (U.S.) 1-Jannik Sinner (Italy) v 19-Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria) COURT NUMBER ONE (Play begins at 1200 GMT) 18-Ekaterina Alexandrova (Russia) v Belinda Bencic (Switzerland) 10-Ben Shelton (U.S.) v Lorenzo Sonego (Italy) 8-Iga Swiatek (Poland) v 23-Clara Tauson (Denmark) COURT NUMBER TWO (Play begins at 1000 GMT) Marin Cilic (Croatia) v 22-Flavio Cobolli (Italy) 19-Liudmila Samsonova (Russia) v Jessica Bouzas Maneiro (Spain) REUTERS

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store