Olympic champions Norway had two test matches in London last week in preparation for the Olympic Games, facing the hosts of last yearęs World Championships, Brazil, in competitive clashes.

Both games ended even and head coach Thorir Hergeirsson was able to try several new players and formations in his squad to decide the best selection for the Olympic Games. There, his side aims to defend the title they gathered in 2008 in Beijing, China.

Opponents Brazil finished fifth at the World Championship with only one defeat in their games and so they're a tough team to compete against, something that National Team assistant coach Mia Hermansson Högdahl also underlined after the first game:

"Brazil have a different playing style. They play just a little unusual, and it’s tough to play against them. So this was a good game for us. It's the first game we’ve played together in three months." 

 

Högdahl was particularly pleased to have played this game four months before the Olympics start.

She also confirmed that the Olympic Arena is wonderful, the security is good, and the team was well taken care of in the Olympic city.

In the re-match two days later Norway drew again with Brazil and had big problems defending against back-court ace Eduarda Amorim, who netted 11 times. 

Assistant coach Högdahl thought that her side played better in defence than on Thursday. Gifted goalkeeper Silje Solberg played well against a good opponent and Karoline Naess did a good job in defence:

"Although we didn’t succeed in stopping Amorim, we got a better grip on the other shooters. But towards the end of the match we were a little inaccurate and made too many technical errors. Thus, we let Brazil back into the fight again," she said.

Högdahl pointed out that Brazil is a difficult opponent to play against: "Their players are physical and play pretty tough. There, we have something to learn."

The results are as follow:

22 March 2012: Norway - Brazil 29:29 (15:13)

Goalscorers: Linn Jörum Sulland 8, Linn Kristin Riegelhuth Koren 7, Heidi Löke 4, Marit Malm Frafjord 3, Karoline Dyhre Breivang 2, Kari Mette Johansen 2, Charlotte Mordal 1, Amanda Kurtovic 1, Kristine Lunde-Borgersen 1

24 March 2012: Norway - Brazil 25:25 (11:11)

Goalscorers: Camilla Herrem 5, Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth Koren 5, Heidi Löke 4, Marit Halm Frafjord 2, Amanda Kurtovic 2, Göril Snorroeggen 2, Ida Alstad 1, Kristine Lunde-Borgersen 1, Charlotte Mordal 1, Stine Bredal Oftedal 1, Linn Jörum Sulland 1

Further Information

Find more information on the Women's EHF EURO 2012 Qualification HERE.

View more detailed information on the event on the Official EHF EURO 2012 Website.
www.ehf-euro.com/NED2012/