U17 Euro: Clinical Norway in the first half, then organised Titans after the break

One half is enough for a clinical Norway to get the better of San Marino Under-17 in the second match of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship qualifying mini-tournament currently being played on the Titano. Norway, coached by Igor Aase, initially dictate possession, while Loris Bonesso’s Titans are punctual in their defensive cover. The deadlock is broken early (9’) following a defensive lapse from the Biancoazzurri: Dahlstrøm has time to whip in a cross from deep, goalkeeper Conti is late coming off his line and Krosa has an easy task to power home the header for the opener. It’s a third goal in two matches for Norway’s number 10, after his brace against Wales. After taking the lead, Norway continue to keep the ball without really upping the tempo. On 11 minutes Holseter-Karlsen slaloms through but his shot is a comfortable one for Conti. The two face off again from a free-kick in an inviting position for the Norwegian’s right foot, but once more it finishes safely in Conti’s arms. Third time is not the charm either, as this time it takes a fine open-handed save by Conti to turn away another powerful drive from the narrow angle by Holseter-Karlsen and prevent a second goal. San Marino try to find some breathing space, winning two corners in quick succession, but without creating danger from the flag. Shortly before the interval comes the double blow that makes Norway’s path even smoother: the main man is Harald Woxen, who bags a brace in two minutes with two outstanding finishes. The first comes on 38 minutes when, having reached the edge of the area, he unleashes a left-footed strike, powerful and precise, that finds the far corner for 2-0. Norway’s third – again courtesy of Woxen – arrives on 40 minutes when Arlotti loses the ball in midfield, Elias Solberg wins it back and slides it through to the ever-dangerous Woxen who, once inside the box, shifts it onto his right and fires a thunderous shot that crashes into the top corner at the near post. Between the two goals there is also a potential chance for Bonesso’s Titans, when Canarezza nods a clever ball forward for Bucchi, who drives towards goal but is denied at the key moment by Nakken’s perfectly timed intervention. After the restart the tempo – already not particularly high in the first half – drops further, but Norway remain in control and can rely on their comfortable lead. On 69 minutes the Titans put together a good move: Sammaritani launches long, captain Meloni flicks it on for Terni, who shoots but fails to hit the target. Soon after, San Marino threaten again following another good ball recovery by Meloni, who finds substitute Molinari; he cuts inside and lays it back for Canarezza, who however miscues his effort. Amid a flurry of substitutions the match moves into added time, with Norway chasing a fourth, but Tamagnini does well to turn Wik’s attempt behind for a corner after a vertical pass from Dahlstrøm. The fourth goal never arrives for Norway in the second half, also thanks to the Titans’ disciplined and compact display. Aase’s side nonetheless take all three points, staying top of qualifying Group 9 level on points with Italy, who also won this morning with a comprehensive 4-0 success over Wales. After Blini’s opener, Massimiliano Favo’s Azzurrini added further goals after the break through Damiano and Campaniello, before Inacio put his name on the scoresheet in stoppage time. The standings therefore show Italy and Norway, as mentioned, on 6 points, with San Marino and Wales yet to get off the mark. The final two games of the mini-tournament will be played on Monday at 11:00: in Acquaviva it will be San Marino vs Wales (live on Titani.tv), while in Montecchio Norway will face Italy.

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UEFA European Under-17 Championship 2025 – Qualifying Round | Norway – San Marino 3-0   NORWAY Fauskanger; Haraldsen, Ademola, Tveit (46' Valenza); Nakken, Holseter-Karlsen (80' Opsahl), Dahlstrøm, Berg; Woxen (73' Wik), E. Solberg (65' Cole), Krosa (65' Mengshoel) Substitutes: Eide, Renshusløkken, J. Solberg, Slørdal Coach: Igor Rojkov Aase SAN MARINO Conti; Sammaritani, Stefani, Montali (72' Zavoli); Tamagnini, Arlotti (46' Pennacchini), Meloni, Bucchi (46' Molinari), Terni (81' Guidi); Grandoni (81' De Biagi), Canarezza Substitutes: Cenci, Pala, Baldazzi Coach: Alessandro Loris Bonesso   Referee: Ladislav Szikszay (CZE) Assistant Referees: Branko Putilin (MKD) and Michal Volf (CZE) Fourth Official: Jovan Kachevski (MKD) Booked: Haraldsen, Ademola, Tveit Scorers: 9' Krosa, 38' and 40' Woxen

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