Norway falls short against Portugal in key match

Norway looks set to miss the quarterfinals. This became clear after the host nation’s loss to Portugal with a score of 28–31.
– A complete failure, said Viaplay’s Norwegian commentator Daniel Høglund.

The home World Cup is not going Norway’s way. After the country’s shocking loss to Brazil, Norway needed at least a draw against Portugal to have a good chance of a quarterfinal spot. But that was not the case.

The teams started the match evenly. Both goalkeepers, Gustavo Capdeville for Portugal and Andre Bergsholm Kristensen for Norway, played brilliantly. When the shots started getting past the goalkeepers, neither defense could find a solution, and the teams traded goals for much of the first half.

Kolstad player Simen Ulstad Lyse was often left alone to carry Norway’s scoring, netting five goals in the first half.

In the second half, Portugal’s super talent Francisco Costa limped off the court. While little brother Costa rested, Norway came to life. Eight minutes into the second half, the host nation led 19–16, and Portugal was forced to call a timeout. After the timeout, Capdeville started saving everything, holding tight for seven minutes, and Portugal caught up.

But when Norway needed him, Simen Ulstad Lyse was there again. The shooter fired in goal after goal, finishing with a total of nine for the left back. The problem for Norway was that Portugal always responded with a leading goal back. And so it continued in the final minutes, and Norway’s second defeat was confirmed. The final score was 28–31.