Sunday, May 3, 1998 Published at 18:20 GMT 19:20 UK

Results and Reports

Denmark 0 Norway 2 (April 22)

Norway beat their Nordic neighbours and fellow World Cup finalists Denmark in a tense friendly in Copenhagen.

Oyvind Leonhardson opens up the scoring for Norway

Werder Bremen's Havard Flo headed on to Oyvind Leonhardson in the 26th minute for the Liverpool midfielder to put Norway ahead with a low shot past Peter Schmeichel.

Schmeichel's half-time replacement Mogens Krogh was equally powerless in the 58th minute when Flo's cousin, Toré Andre Flo of Chelsea, sailed high above the defence to head in a corner from the left.

After the game, the Denmark coach, Bo Johansson, said: "They are unbelievably strong in the air and gave us immeasurable problems. "We played some good combinations but were unable to score."

Brian Laudrup was Denmark's main play maker

Denmark started well but their attacks centred too much on Brian Laudrup. The Glasgow Rangers striker built many chances but Norway's two England-based keepers Frode Grodas and Thomas Myhre, who played from the 60th minute, both made good saves.

Within five minutes of coming on Myhre saved three shots by Ebbe Sand, the leading scorer in the Danish league who was making his international debut.

Despite the win, Norwegian coach Egil Olsen was critical of his team's performance. "We must be satisfied having beaten Denmark away, but It was not a great match for us. It was a somewhat lucky win and I am not all that proud of our game."

Denmark star striker Brian Laudrup said the defeat would dampen expectations among Danes ahead of France 98. "If we had won 3-0 people would have began to believe that we will be the world champions," he said. "Now the expectations will not be so high.''

Your e-mail address:

Your message:

Back to top | World Cup Home©