The national team of Bulgaria lost 0:1 against Norway in qualifying game in group H for the Euro 2016 finals. The game, which was played at “Vasil Levski” stadium was pretty even and because of the significance of the game, both teams started very cautiously.
First chance came in the 21st minute, when Ørjan Nyland saved a tricky shot from Ivelin Popov, who tried to outsmart him from a set piece. 15 minutes later Ivaylo Chochev tried his luck from distance and then it was Vegard Forren’s turn to shoot unsuccessfully. Unsurprisingly, the first half ended goalless.
After the break both teams became more adventurous and in the 53rd minute Iliyan Micansky was left alone in the box, but his strike was blocked by a Norwegian defender. Four minutes later Norway delivered the crucial punch – Stanislav Manolev conceded a foul outside the box and from the delivery Forren lost his marker and scored – 0:1. Petev’s team tried to bounce back and missed chances through Popov and Micansky, but couldn’t equalize. Next game for the Bulgarians is against Italy – on the 6th of September in Palermo.
Line ups and statistics
Bulgaria – Norway 0:1
0:1 Forren (57)
Bulgaria: Mitrev, Bandalovski, Aleksandrov, Bodurov, Y.Minev, Popov, Manolev (61-Тonev), Chochev, Milanov (78-Nedelev), Mitsanski (68-Rangelov)
Coach: Ivaylo Petev
Norway: Nyland, Hogli, Hovland, Tettey, Johansen (87-Strandberg), Soderlund, Henriksen, Samuelsen (64-Skjelbred), Elabdellaoui, Berget, Forren (75-Nordtveit).
Coach: Per-Mathias Høgmo
Stadion „Vasil Levski“, attendance – 12 000
Referee: Bas Nijhuis
Yellow cards: Popov, Minev (Bulgaria), Hogli, Skjelbred, Tettey (Norway)
Standings Group H
1. Italy 7 4 3 0 10:5 15
2. Croatia* 7 4 3 0 16:3 14
3. Norway 7 4 1 2 8:8 13
4. BULGARIA 7 2 2 3 7:8 8
5.Аzerbaijan 7 1 2 4 4:11 5
6. Malta 7 0 1 6 1:11 1
