Norway led by as many as four in the Scandinavian derby against Sweden, only for the game to be finished in a crunch draw, 30:30, after left wing Olivia Mellegard scored with only four seconds to go before the final whistle.

The reigning European champions are now tied with the Netherlands for the group’s lead, with Sweden one point behind, with no main round berth awarded before the last match day in Castelló.

MAIN ROUND GROUP II
Sweden vs Norway 30:30 (12:14)

Two superb teams providing two of the best attacks at Spain 2021. Two sets of amazing fans, who occupied two corners in the Pabellón Ciutat de Castelló, painting them red and yellow. Two Scandinavian rivals, fighting for a place in the quarter-finals at the 25th IHF Women’s World Championship.

The scene was set, therefore everybody expected the Scandinavian derby between Sweden and Norway to truly deliver one of the best matches at Spain 2021. And, sure enough, there was drama, plenty of superb goals, a flurry of saves by the two goalkeepers and, eventually, a deadlock that means this group is still wide open before the final match day.

Yet it was far from easy for the reigning European champions, who saw themselves down 4:6 after 13 minutes. It was the logical consequence after an enormous display from Sweden’s defence, spearheaded by goalkeeper Evelina Eriksson, who saved five of the eight shots she faced, for an outstanding 62.5% saving efficiency.

With Norway’s attack limited to a meagre 36% efficiency, it was time for coach Thorir Hergeirsson to change something and introducing back Henny Reistad and left wing Camilla Herrem really turned the game on its head.

Norway produced a superb 3:0 run, based on saves from goalkeeper Silje Solberg, to take back the lead they conceded after Sweden produced their own 3:0 run. With the sheer depth displayed by Norway, it was hard for their rivals to keep track.

Powered by two goals from Reistad and line player Kari Brattset Dale each, Norway took a 14:12 lead into the break, with Dale converting the last shot in the final second, being impossible to stop by Sweden’s defence.

It looked like game over as soon as Norway took a 21:17 lead, with some swift attacking moves, as Sweden had little answer to their attack. But a time-out called by coach Tomas Axner instilled new life into Sweden, which looked transformed both in defence and in attack.

One goal and one assist from centre back Jamina Roberts and two goals from left back Emma Lindkvist propelled Sweden to an excellent 5:0 run, preventing Norway to score for five minutes and 46 seconds.

Norway came back to their senses for a bit, with Nora Mork and Kari Brattset Dale scoring two goals each, but the spark missed from the Scandinavian side, especially in defence, as Sweden took advantage of every chance they had.

With 90 seconds before the end of the game, Norway boasted a 30:28 lead and everything seemed to be looking to go their way, which would have seen them through to the quarter-finals.

Yet, Sweden were superb in defence, stopping Norway twice and extending the attack just enough to have the final say in the game. The ball passed through all the players’ hands before ending in left wing Olivia Mellegard’s, who beat Katrine Lunde with a perfect shot, sealing a point for Sweden in a 30:30 deadlock.

Despite not losing a game at Spain 2021, Norway fell to the second place in Group II, tied in points with the Netherlands, but boasting a lower goal difference. Yet, there can be only one come Monday, with the top two places colliding in Castelló for a quarter-final berth.

Despite being third in the group, only one point behind the two sides, Sweden might see their game against Romania as a huge opportunity to progress to the top eight teams at Spain 2021.
 
hummel Player of the Match: Jamina Roberts, Sweden

Photo: RFEBM / Á. Bermejo