Norway (1-0-1, 3 pts. -1 goal diff.) plays Korea Rep. (0-0-2, 0 pts., -4 GD) in match 17 at Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA at 12:45 PM. Even if Norway wins or draws, they have worry about what France (1-0-1, 3 pts. -1 goal diff.) does against Brasil (2-0-0, 6 pts., +6 GD). If France and Norway are even on pts. and GD then it comes down to most goals scored. Norway currently has the edge, 3-1. Note that if Brasil wins or draws then they're playing in Foxboro at 4:30 PM next Wednesday as the winner of Group B. Even if Brasil loses, it is unlikely that France or Norway will overcome that large goal diff. Even Korea Rep. still has a chance to edge out France and Norway for second place in the group. It would take a Brasil win by more than three goals and a Korea win over Norway by a similar margin.
4-4-2 Formation for Norway Norwegian Coach Åge Steen has made a couple of changes to his lineup after Wednesday's loss to Brazil. Marit Fiane Christensen will get her first start of this World Cup and will replace Gunhild Følstad at right back. Also back in Norway's starting lineup will be Lise Klaveness along with Trine Rønning who started instead of Klaveness against Brazil. Both Anita Rapp and Linda Ørmen will start the match on the bench as Norway goes from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2 formation. Norway (4-4-2): Bente Nordby - Marit F. Christensen, Monica Knudsen, Ane Stangeland, Brit Sandaune - Solveig Gulbrandsen, Trine Rønning, Lise Klaveness, Unni Lehn - Marianne Pettersen, Dagny Mellgren.
Home Field Advantage For Dagny Dagny Mellgren is happy to be back in Boston for Norway's final Group B match vs. South Korea. Here's the link to a "toppserien.com" article about Dagny being back in Boston that includes a picture of Dagny giving an interview: Mellgren på hjemmebane The article mentions that Dagny had already moved out of her apartment that was near Fenway Park and that she is staying with the rest of the Norway's National Team in Needham. Dagny hasn't had much time for getting in contact with people she know in the Boston area, but hopes to do that on Sunday when the players have some free time. Dagny also plans to do some shopping.
FT Norway 7 South Korea 1 Norway finished 2nd in Group B and advanced to the quarter-finals (most likely to face USA. ) 1. Brasil 7 pts, +6, 8 goals 2. Norway 6 pts, +5, 10 goals 3. France 4 pts, -1, 2 goals 4. South Korea 0 pts, -10, 1 goal
Norway actually did their part to win Group B, by defeating South Korea by six goals and France made a valiant effort, but unfortunately came up one goal short. Now Norway will no doubt be playing the U.S. in the quarters while Brazil will meet Sweden or North Korea.
Comments From Coach Steen Here are some post-match quotes from Norway's Head Coach Åge Steen: Steen (NOR): “FIFA Fair play a brilliant initiative”
Dagny Back in Boston Several of the Norwegian articles I saw mentioned that Dagny had the opportunity to play before some of her Breakers fans in Boston, but also said that the Breakers actually played at Nickerson Field. Along with her Breakers fans, Dagny also has family living in the Boston area who attended yesterday's match and will be back Wednesday to cheer for Dagny again.