Key events
Keep this blog open but if you want regular updates from the other game, the Guardian have you covered with this blog:
The other group game in this group is between hosts Switzerland and Finland, which currently stands at 0-0. If it remains like this the hosts will go through.
Half-time: Norway 2-1 Iceland
Well Iceland opened the scoring with their first goal of the tournament but Norway responded well with two goals from young star Gaupset. The game is still up for grabs if Iceland manage to win more possession but the group leaders are in control.
45 + 1 min: There will be three minutes added, unsure where they have come from with limited stoppages.
45 min: The corner is taken short and then Bizet sees it out, that was a poor touch.
44 min: Gaupset is on for a hat trick and she also had it there. Bizet crosses it in but Viggosdottir defends well to take it away from Gaupset. Corner to come.
42 min: Sorry to report this game has not got any more lively. I wish it had but we’re still in the midfield.
40 min: The game has been drawn into a bit of a lull. A lot of play in the midfield and some loose passes slowing down some otherwise exciting play.
38 min: They work it into the box but Runarsdottir is wise to it. Iceland’s fans have gone silent now, just in the moment they really need to get behind them.
36 min: Viggosdottir receives a yellow card for a foul on Maanum and so Norway have a free kick.
34 min: Steven Mills has emailed:
Norway beating Iceland will not exactly be a huge Ga-upset.
I can’t even be mad at that because it’s quite clever. If anyone else has any puns send them in. On the pitch it’s more of the same, Norway having the majority of possession.
32 min: I think they are secretly reading my blog because I sent that post and then they had a chance in the box but just couldn’t thread the right pass together. A reminder also that Iceland have not won a women’s Euros game in 12 years and so there is a lot to play for despite them being knocked out already.
30 min: Iceland really need to respond now, they have been totally out of this game in the last ten minutes or so.
28 min: A reminder too that Gaupset is just 20-years-old and so we have years to come to watch her talent.
That was an absolutely beautiful strike. She whalloped it in from long range but Runarsdottir potentially should have done more to save that.
GOAL! Norway 2-1 Iceland (Gaupset, 26)
Okay, she’s showing off now.
26 min: The delivery had a bit too much on it and so Terlamd can’t quite get to it.
25 min: What a great save from Runarsdottir as Norway thread the ball through the team and Terland launches a shot. The keeper sends it over the bar for a corner.
24 min: The other game in this group stands at 0-0 for those who are interested. In this one, Norway have taken control of possession but they haven’t landed a real blow since they equalised. Just as I type that though they fire one off but it’s deflected, no corner as Runarsdottir saved it.
22 min: Iceland fan Kari Tulinius emailed:
I’m counting on you for updates on this match. Where I’m watching, Finns outnumber Icelanders three to one, and the Finns made the good point that the other game matters. While that’s true, some of my fondest memories as an Iceland fan are from matches which didn’t matter competitively. I hope Iceland will do something worth remembering tonight. Scoring a goal was a good start.
Yes, while the game doesn’t ‘matter’ in terms of who goes through, it absolutely matters in terms of performance and pride. I think they have a good chance of winning this one. Despite Norway topping the group they haven’t been impressive.
20 min: Jonsdottir is having one of the games of her life right now. She is attacking and then suddenly she is up the other end defending.
18 min: Gaupset has been seriously impressive and Women’s Champions League fans will remember her stunning performance against Lyon when Brann drew 2-2 with the eight-time winners.
First major tournament start for Gaupset and she scores. Boe Risa’s corner delivery was good and it was a one-touch finish from Gaupset, who won the corner to begin with.
GOAL! Norway 1-1 Iceland (Gaupset, 15)
What a goal.
15 min: The camera angle there made it look like Gaupset had scored but it was well deflected. Corner to come.
13 min: Bizet loses control of the ball as Norway peels forward and another opportunity is squandered. Iceland’s fans are already getting the thunder clap underway.
12 min: Boe Risa’s delivery is repelled but it comes back in and out for another corner. The taker is the same but Runarsdottir plucks it out of the sky.
10 min: Norway have displayed defensive weaknesses all tournament and they have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their group games. Can they respond? Well they have just won a corner and so they have the opportunity.
The check is long but it stands. It’s their first goal of the tournament.
The delivery is good and the first chance is saved well by Fiskerstrand and Jonsdottir slams the rebound home. It is being checked for offside.
GOAL! Norway 0-1 Iceland (Jonsdottir, 7)
It’s in on the rebound.
6 min: Just as I say that Iceland have a chance. Two shots at goal, created by Jonsdottir, get saved and it’s out for a corner.
4 min: A very slow start to this one, I was expecting Iceland to come out firing a bit with absolutely nothing to lose but they are yet to thread a real passage of play together.
2 min: I will also bring you any score updates from the other game, where Switzerland and Finland are vying for the final knockout spot in this group. Both teams finding their feet in this one.
Kick-off! Norway 0-0 Iceland
Here we go. Also apologies Iceland made three changes to their starting team. A reminder that Iceland have already been knocked out, while Norway have solidified top of the group.
The players are out and the anthems will be sung shortly, kick-off just a few minutes away.
I’d love to hear from you. In the UK we are in the middle of another heat wave. I have had several ice poles and have a fan blowing me but I am still so hot so please get in touch with cooling tip and tricks. And of course any thoughts on the football are welcomed.
Tuva Hansen, Norway defender, said:
I think everyone is really ready for the game. There are probably some tactical things we can work on and test out, so there are definitely opportunities in this match. But we’re not going into the game to lose, we’re going in to win.
Thorsteinn Halldórsson, Iceland coach, said:
It’s disappointing to be out of the competition. We have one game left, and we are going to play with our pride and play for our fans. It is different, but we always have something to keep fighting for. We go into every match to try to win. Even though we know it’s our last game, we are always playing for our fans. We want to finish this tournament in a good way.
Norway manager Gemma Grainger spoke about the team’s motivations for tonight’s match as they already know they have been knocked out of the tournament:
Iceland will want to put in a performance for their impressive travelling fans. For us it’s about finishing the group strongly and improving some of our performance aspects. We know we have a quarter-final waiting but the mindset hasn’t changed; it’s still one game at a time.
The other game in this group between hosts Switzerland and Finland kicks off at the same time as this encounter. So keep this blog open but open the one below in a new tab to keep track of both games:
Norway have made five changes to their starting XI from their 2-1 win against Finland. While Iceland make two changes to their team who lost 2-0 to Switzerland.
I will tell you how many changes Norway have made momentarily but you can tell they have already qualified as stars like Caroline Graham Hansen and Ada Hegerberg are on the bench.
The team news is in.
Norway: Fiskerstrand; Woldvik, Mjelde, Harviken, T Hansen; Boe Risa, Maanum, Naalsund; Ildhusoy, Terland, Gaupset
Subs: Panengstuen; Mikalsen, Bratberg Lund, Østenstad, Engen, Sævik, Graham Hansen, Reiten, Bjelde, Hegerberg, Kielland, Jensen, Tryggvadottir
Iceland: Runarsdottir; Gudr Arnadottir, Viggosdottir, Sigurdardottir, Heiðarsdóttir; Johannsdottir, Vilhjalmsdottir, Antonsdóttir, Jónsdóttir, Jessen, Tryggvadottir
Subs: Ívarsdóttir, Birkisdóttir, B. Ágústsdóttir, Zomers, Brynjarsdóttir, Anasi, H. Eiríksdóttir, Albertsdóttir, Gunnlaugsdóttir, Gudn. Árnadóttir, Halldórsdóttir, Andradóttir
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the Group A match between Norway and Iceland. Both nations already know their fates in this tournament but that will not influence both of their wants to take all three points in this game.
Norway have already sealed top of the group with narrow 2-1 wins against Switzerland and Finland. The hosts and Finland are playing one another at the same time as this kick-off, at 8pm BST, to decide who gets the other knockout place.
That is because Iceland lost both of their opening game which knocked them out of the tournament. They will be determined not to come away with three losses at the major tournament. Norway have had far from perfect performances too so Iceland will feel they have a chance to ruffle the group leaders’ feathers.
The team news for this encounter will drop shortly so stay tuned ahead of kick-off at 8pm BST.
