– I’m very proud of this group. Effort against Italy full of class players. It is very sad to give these three appearances here and not follow up with one goal, national team manager Leif Gunnar Smerud told NRK.

The premise was clear for Norway before kick-off: If the Norwegian team is to reach the EC quarter-finals, Italy must be beaten by at least two goals – along with France beating Switzerland in the second group game.

It didn’t work out that way, but it was close to Norway.

France swept Switzerland off the field, and when Erik Bothheim sent Norway ahead in the second half, there was hope for Norway in the quarter-finals. The U21 boys battled hard for the second goal, and outplayed Italy at times, but had to head home from Romania after the group stage.

– I’m very, very proud, captain Erik Bothheim told NRK.

– We fight and suppress, and have cannons. We tried in earnest against a very good team. We’re close. It’s rude to do this with a group of my friends, he continued.

Norway feels cheated

Just before the end, Osame Sahraoui was on his way to score, but was blocked with a hand, which drew a furious protest from the Norwegian players.

– What will we do? There are margins. To me, he seems far away, said Joshua Kitolano.

The main character himself is also sure of his goal. Sahraoui understood nothing when the referee blew, and denied it was a hand. It should never be undone by hand.

– When he said hand, I was a little surprised, because the ball was never near my hand. I tried to get an explanation after the game. The linesmen thought it was a hand but the fourth umpire thought it had never come close to a hand in the world. It’s a bit odd, he told NRK.

Did you score there?

– It was very difficult for me to look ahead in time, but I almost burned out there. I got the ball, took the shot, saw that he slipped, and I was alone with the keeper. It was almost a matter of pushing him away but when I heard him blow there was nothing I could do.

Team-mates were equally baffled by the referee’s decision after the match.

– Offside I thought, that’s weird. And then it’s not an offside, but a hand. I understand a bit about that, said Johan Hove, who set up Sahraoui.

– I stood a little further, but never knew that it was a hand. I don’t understand anything about it and you get very frustrated on the pitch. I didn’t understand that it was possible, said Antonio Nusa.

Italy dominated before the break

After 15 minutes came the happy news that France had taken the lead. However, Norway is struggling in its own competition.

Italy controlled the game almost exactly as they wanted, and star strikers Pietro Pellegri and Wilfried Gnonto each fired up their big chances early on.

The Norwegian players ran between each other and fought hard against supposedly stronger opponents. At the same time, Svetis fought back against the French, and the road to progress became one step longer.

“Gas pedal on tires”

In the first half, national team manager Leif Gunnar Smerud announced that the team would “put more pressure on the accelerator”, and the Norwegians did not take long to create chances.

Emil Konradsen Ceïdete himself came from outside the 16 meter area, but was in the middle of the goal. Ten minutes later, Håkon Evjen tried from distance. The shot forced the goalkeeper out at full power, but a much-needed goal awaited.

Ultimately, Smerud delivered the technical marvels of Oscar Bobb and Antonio Nusa, and it didn’t take long for them to make their mark.

First, Nusa gave Johan Hove a big chance who was blocked at the last minute.

– Careful guys! Be careful! You can hear the screams from the Italians when Nusa gets the ball at his feet.

But the Italian full-back pulled back dizzy when Nusa used him as a float midway through the half. The post was discovered by Erik Botheim, who has a quiet championship for Norway.

The striker’s hit on the ball was also not impressive, but it bounced high above the ground and at a snail’s pace into the net. At the same time, France was back in the lead.

Norway’s hopes for the quarter-finals are lit.

Pressed for a decision

At the same time Norway was pushing people forward, the fight was faltering the other way too. Italy created some great chances, and it was almost inconceivable that the ball would not go in when they were able to finish in the empty box from close range.

Instead, the ball hit the crossbar.

– Hard to believe it missed the mark, commented NRK’s ​​Carl Erik Torp.

Norway pressed hard in stoppage time, and also had some good chances. But it ends with one goal. Thus, the dream of EC for this time is over.

– “The second half was one of the most enjoyable I’ve ever had as a footballer,” said Bothheim proudly after the win.

The last dance for Smerud

Even before the championship, Smerud decided that this would be the last thing he would do as U21 coach.

He doesn’t know yet what the future holds, and he has opened up to NRK that this may be his last coaching job.

This is the first championship the 46-year-old has managed to win for Norway since he took over in 2014. They are close to reaching the quarter-finals, but there is a group stage in Romania for the Norwegian’s hopeful talent – by the narrowest possible margin.

– We’re not far at all. It’s very close. There were three good performances where we deserved more points. That’s how it is sometimes, that’s the nature of football. You don’t always get what you deserve in terms of games and opportunities, concludes Smerud.