France, EC favorites, will be in the semifinals against Norway after losing 29-31 against their neighbors to the south.

– It doesn’t get any harder than that. If you want to get to the top you have to beat the best, so we just need to improve going into the semi-finals, said Stine Bredal Oftedal after the defeat.

Denmark opened very strongly in Ljubljana, and with a solid Sandra Toft in goal they achieved the long awaited victory over Norway. their first in eight years.

– Denmark took its chances and we didn’t. We produced a lot but didn’t put enough balls in the net and didn’t stand well enough at the back. Plain and simple, concluded Nora Mørk, who was the match’s top scorer with eight goals.

Prior to Wednesday’s game between Norway and Denmark, both teams had secured tickets to the semifinals. But Norway pulled the shortest straw and has by far the most difficult path to a possible final.

For Denmark, Montenegro awaits in the semifinals.

Sloppy opening

Norway was initially disorganized. After trailing three goals in the first ten minutes, Thorir Hergeirsson had to take an early timeout.

Denmark is strong in duels, and Norway has a hard time scoring goals. Neither team was able to pull away, and they followed each other until the break.

A fine save by Katrine Lunde ensured that Norway took the lead for the first time 30 seconds into the break. Norway finished with a one-goal advantage (13-12), after half an even.

Mørk’s penalty shot was saved

In the second half, Lunde and Sandra Toft fell far behind, and ensured that neither team was left behind.

Nora Mørk had a perfect 20 of 20 shots from seven meters so far this championship, but that streak sealed Denmark’s last chance.

– It’s no surprise that it was Sandra Toft who stopped the altercation, says NRK commentator Patrick Rowlands.

At the same time that Norway hit the crossbar and post, Denmark was effective at the opposite end. Denmark played tenaciously on defense, and scored two quick dismisses.

– Denmark is playing very badly right now, says expert commentator Marit Malm Frafjord.

– They did what they could to win, and they were punished for it. But yes, we know the duel, said Bredal Oftedal, who himself received a slap on the lips.

Thorir Hergeirsson had this to say about the match to TV3:

– We weren’t very far away and didn’t have enough defending, goalkeeping or finishing in periods. “They were sharper than us today, they were two goals better and we have to admit that,” he said.