(Norway – Czech Republic 3-6) Norway presented a heroic performance against the Czech Republic, but in the end it was forced to succumb to a violent blow.
The match ended in a 3-6 loss, but the 49-11 in shots on target for the Czech Republic says a lot about Norway's determination against the host nation.
And perhaps more about Henrik Haukeland, the World Series veteran.
The 29-year-old goalkeeper persevered, especially in the second half, and blocked one cannon after another. Before the break before the third and final period, the score was 3-3.
– It's sad to stand here and not get points, says Haukland to Viplay.
-We will be a little defensive and it will take a long time to decide the game early. Then, unfortunately, we will not be able to stay in the race. But we have to give the Czech Republic credit today. “They simply ran us over,” says Hawkland.
- Eric Salsten put in this buzzer to make it 3-1:
Although Haukland may not have been satisfied with conceding the goal in the 3-3 win against the Czech Republic, captain Patrick Thoresen paid tribute to the keeper:
– He made many saves today, so without him it could have been uglier, said Thoresen at the break after the second period.
Because it became very frantic around Haukland for long periods and a fierce battle of attrition for Norway, but until 3-1 Norway were the more effective team and shocked the host nation in Prague.
-He feels bitter today. I think we play with great sacrifice and we keep fighting until there are three or four minutes left. “It's difficult today,” says national team director Tobias Johansson.
Norway national team coach
– The Czech Republic is a very good team, they have 18,000 crazy fans and they get a penalty in the second half. We can't quite handle this pressure. Al Suwaidi says: I think we are doing a lot of good, but it is not enough today.
- Did you see this maneuver from the match between Latvia and Poland?
It was the Czech Republic that took the lead after six minutes of the first half, but Norway took the lead in the short final quarter.
Firstly, virtual player Stian Solberg scored his first World Cup goal of his career with a powerful shot.
He was also voted Norway's best player.
Noah Steen followed up with a neat move past the Czech goalkeeper before sneaking in to take a 2-1 lead, and then Erik Sahlstyn scored the third after a brilliant pass from Solberg extended the lead to 3-1.
The only thing that spoiled a near-perfect period for the Norwegian boys was an errant pass, which the Czech Republic made the most of.
Just seconds after Norway made it 3-1, Roman Cervenka narrowed the score to 2-3.
- Stian Solberg has shown himself well so far at the World Championship:
Then the Czech Republic scored a goal in the second half and a goal in the third half, while Norway did not take advantage of the opportunities it had.
The Norwegian team ended the third half well and came close to equalizing, but instead it was the Czech Republic that raised the score to 5-3.
Norway then brought out the goalkeeper and took one last chance. The Czechs took advantage and scored 6-3.
Norway has not achieved any victory currently after its loss on Friday to Switzerland.
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