2007, 2009, 2011 – for the third straight and in total ninth time Norway has reached a semi-final of a Women’s World Championship. The Olympic and European Champions are the third European to qualify for the semis in Sao Paulo after France and Denmark. The “Northern lights” beat Croatia clearly thanks to their sharp and powerful counter attacks and will face the winner of the match Brazil vs. Spain in the next round.

 

Croatia – Norway 25:30 (12:16)

Norway again is heading for a medal: After winning Silver in 2007 and Bronze in 2009 they now go for another podium place. The current Olympic and European Champion, which is already qualified for the Olympic Games 2012 in London, did not have any problems with the Croats. The Balkan team now will face the loser of the quarter-final Brazil vs. Spain in their first 5-8 placement match on Friday 16 December 2011.

After a strong Croatian defence, Norway settled their usual match play. Standing extremely close in defence they intercepted the Croatian passes or shots and then started their famous counter attacks, precise like a Japanese steel knife. Whilst the Balkan team intermediately had enormous problems in breaking through, the European and Olympic Champion played full speed and extended the gap from 11:8 to 16:9 in minute 26. But realizing the chance to get their best WCh result in history, the Croats fought back reducing the gap to four goals at the break – but Norway was still in full control of the match.

And as Croatia missed even more chances in the beginning of the second half and lost defence specialist Andrea Seric due to a red card, Norway easily kept the lead. But coach Thorir Hergeirsson needed a time-out to re-install his players after the Balkan team had scored four consecutive goals to 16:18 in minute38.  And the Norwegians understood, what their coach was saying: Scoring three fast break and one penalty goals they returned to the previous six goals margin, which caused a Croatian time-out and a lot of excitement among the several hundred Norwegian fans, shouting “Heja, Norge”. And two more fast break goals by world class Heidi Löke and Kari Mette Johanssen then latest paved the winner’s way at 24:16 in minute 44.

And Löke – awarded best player of the match - still did not have enough: Scoring her eighth goal in minute 50, Norway was in lead with ten goals for the first time at 27:17. The rest was result cosmetics by the Croatian team.

 

Statements after the match:

Vladimir Canjuga, coach Croatia: Norway deserved to win, from minute 30 to minute 40 we could come closer, but we missed the chances to equalize. In defence we were not able to stop Heidi Löke, this was the key to our defeat. Norway played strong in defence and forced us to make mistakes.

Thorir Hergeirsson, coach Norway: Croatia has improved in the previous years and we needed to give our best to win. My team did a good job in defence and in counter attacks. Now we are starting our preparations to reach the final.

Andrea Penezic, player Croatia:  Norway was the better team, we made too many technical mistakes and Löke was unstoppable. Now we fight for the fifth place.

Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth, player Norway: We are really happy that we have the chance to fight for the final. The speed in pour counter attacks decided the match. It is great to have so many Norwegian spectators here, they are like an extra player for us. Don’t mind if we face Brazil or Spain we will have a tough match.