Norway reached final number seven in the 20´s. Besides the obvious dominance from many players, Henny Reistad brought the x factor and mvp qualities that has stood out during her career.
– This is great, we have shown that we have played really good, she said to TV2.
Reistad made her mark early to avoid the defensive attempts to block down and power through from distance.
For a period in the second half, Netherlands increased the surveillance and removed Reistad from the mix but it was not near enough to change the match development or deprive the 26-year-old of her star status.
A remark from the assistant coach, Mats Olsson at half time put her performance into perspective.
– She’s a bit sniffly, so she’s actually not completely healthy. Imagine if she had been. She’s only at 99 percent today, he told NRK during the break.
– I feel better today. And it matters a lot that I can make the substitution and can keep the capacity to play in the attacks, she said to TV2 afterwards.
For 60 minutes, Norway had the unquestionably higher level. Netherlands will continue with the hope for Bronze, while Norway must be considered the prime candidate for gold.
– We have a good squad depth, can bring in players with full capacity. That’s a resource that Netherlands is missing, Reistad concluded.