After three weak quarters, things unraveled violently for Thorir Hergeirsson’s team, which was without several key players. A 15-14 half-time lead became 37-25 over Romania.
– It is far below par. We have to acknowledge that, said former national team player Ida Alstad in TV 2’s studio during the break.
Hergeirsson, who was praised before the start of the match, is preparing for his last championship before stepping down as national team manager.
He has tested out different formations and plays in the preparations, and everything was not in place against Romania, but the class difference between the teams finally came to light.
At 19-19 in the 2nd half, the Icelander took a timeout. In the next few minutes, Norway gained a four-goal lead which was increased.
– We are ten goals ahead. It should also be against this Romanian team, said TV 2’s expert commentator Bent Svele in the final minutes.
– It’s great, but Romania is also not the measuring unit for a team chasing medals, said commentator Harald Bredeli.
Veteran Camilla Herrem scored three goals in the match against the run-out Romanians. Thale Rushfeldt Deila was top scorer for Norway with ten goals.
Against the Netherlands on Saturday, Norway trailed by two goals at half-time, but ended up winning 33-21.
In the EC, Norway comes with a big favorite stamp. Hergeirsson’s team has won the previous two European championships and as many as nine of the 15 that have been held.
The first two games in the Golden League ended with a draw against Denmark (27-27) and a big win against the Netherlands.
The first match in the EC is on Thursday. Then Norway gets Slovenian opposition. Then there are matches against Austria and Slovakia. The three group matches are played in Innsbruck before the main round and play-offs take place in Vienna.
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