Graham Hansen strikes late as Norway beat Finland 2-1
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 put them top of the standings with six points. Finland, who defeated Iceland in their opening game, remained on three.
"We buzzed our way to three points in one way or another, but that's what counts in championships. There's a bit to work with, but we won, it helps," player of the match Graham Hansen told Norwegian broadcaster NRK.
Eva Nystrom's own goal put Norway ahead after three minutes as Graham Hansen's cross into the goalmouth hit the Finland defender and slid into the net.
The Norwegians were unlucky not to score again when they hit the woodwork twice within a minute, Ingrid Syrstad Engen's close-range header striking the crossbar before Finland goalkeeper Anna Koivunen tipped Vilde Boe Risa's corner onto the post.
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 international goal for over a year.
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 in off the far post.
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"When she performs like she did for that goal, not many people are able to do that. Getting her in the most amount of one-on-one situations is something we want," Syrstad Engen told newspaper VG.
Norway, who beat Switzerland in their opening game, could have a place in the quarter-finals confirmed if the hosts beat Iceland later on Sunday, or if the match ends in a draw.
Finland coach Marko Saloranta said his team did not deserve to lose.
"I am very proud of how we played, it feels extremely bad," he said.
Finland face Switzerland on Thursday when Norway play Iceland. REUTERS
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