Herlovsen happy to plan ahead
Thursday 26 July 2007
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Isabell Herlovsen is a key player for Norway (©sportsfile)
Norway midfielder Isabell Herlovsen is already looking ahead to a possible final rematch with Germany as her side prepare to face England in Reykjavik, after progressing to the last four for the first time since 2003.
'Talent'
After starting their Group A campaign with a resounding 5-0 win against hosts Iceland, Jarl Torske's team were brought down to earth with a 2-0 defeat by the holders in their second outing. Yet they then booked a place in the semi-finals with a dramatic 2-1 triumph against Scandinavian rivals Denmark, and Herlovsen believes Norway are now on the right track. "We are a strong side and we know we have the talent to beat England," said the 19-year-old. "Then, if we meet Germany again we are strong enough to overcome them as we did not play to our full potential against them last time and missed some good chances early on."
Winning goal
They were less profligate against Denmark on Monday, however, and with nerves fraying as the game edged towards the final whistle with the teams locked at 1-1, it was Herlovsen who sealed their passage on the counterattack. "It was great to score the winning goal," said the Kolbotn IL youngster, one of two players in the squad with senior international experience. "I just remember picking up the ball and hitting it as hard as I could. Suddenly all the players were surrounding me and I realised that we were in the last four because Denmark didn't have time to score the two goals they needed. It means everything to me and the team to get to the semi-finals and book a place at the [FIFA Women's U-20] World Cup."
Competition experience
Herlovsen is certainly no stranger to major tournaments. A member of the Norway squad that reached the final of UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ (where they lost 3-1 to Germany) she is expected to link up with the senior side again this autumn for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Beijing, though for now she is firmly focussed on Iceland, saying: "We were brilliant on Monday - I think everyone played well and we wanted to win it for our coach Jarl because he has worked hard to get this side playing the way we do." More of the same against England and Norway could set up the Germany rematch Herlovsen craves.
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