Norway’s women’s ice hockey team won after penalties – heading for a place in the elite WC

Sport: Norway is currently playing in the WC 1st division in Austria and is fighting for promotion together with several other teams.

The win over the Netherlands came in a close affair in Klagenfurt. After three scoreless periods, the teams had to go into overtime and eventually penalties. There, Emilie Kruse and Mathea Fischer were decisive for Norway with their scores.

With Friday’s triumph, Norway is two points behind France at the top of the table after four games. Hungary is two points behind Norway with one game less played, and thus the Hungarians can climb past with a win over Austria later on Friday.

However, Hungary and France will meet each other in the final round, and Norway has also beaten both teams earlier in the tournament.

Thus, Norway needs to beat bottom team South Korea after normal time to secure promotion to the elite WC. If teams end up tied on points, the games will count against each other to separate them.

The two best after five rounds advance to the elite WC in the Czech Republic next year. Norway’s women’s team has not been there since 1997. They have a best of sixth place from 1990 and 1994.

(© NTB)