Norway vs Italy Euro 2016 qualifiers - September 9, 2014

Norway vs Italy - Competition: UEFA Euro Qualifying, Group H

Match date: Tuesday, 09 September 2014 - Kick Off Time: 19:45 BST
Venue: Ullevaal Stadion, Oslo, Norway

In their first game in the EC Qualifications Norway face the biggest favorites of the Group and probably even one of the favorites for the title in France 2016. Last week the Norwegian team played a test game against another top European side, England. The game at Wembley Stadium ended with a close loss. The hosts won the game 1:0 only after Rooney’s penalty shot. The game was uninspiring from both sides. Next month the national teams will play two EC qualification games. The Norwegians are set first to compete against Malta and after a few days against Bulgaria. This year Norway played seven games and won only one of them. Actually it was their first game of 2014 when they won 2:1 against Moldavia. Then the record got much worse since Norway lost and drew three games respectively. They lost against Poland, France and England. The draws came against Czech Republic, Russia and the United Arab Emirates.

Italy team are the favourites of Group H of the European Championship Qualifiers. The last game of the Italian national team was the debut for Antonio Conte as their coach. On the 4th of September the Italians hosted the Netherlands. At stadio Comunale San Nicola in Bari the team won against the visitors 2:0. The score had already been set just after 10 minutes. Just at the beginning of the match Immobile scored the opening goal. A few minutes later the referee sent off Martins Indi and awarded the Italians with a penalty, which de Rossi converted into a goal and made it 2:0. Unfortunately for Antonio Conte his team must now play without the key defender Giorgio Chiellini, who has been ruled out of their opening game due to a calf injury. Questionable is also the appearance of Stephen El Shaarawy. Suspended are Mario Balotelli and midfielder Claudio Marchisio. Worth mentioning is the new attacking duo of Ciro Immobile and Simone Zaza that worked very well against the Dutch.

Norway last 5 matches:
05/03/14 Czech Republic 2 – 2 Norway
27/05/14 France 4 – 0 Norway
31/05/14 Norway 1 – 1 Russia
27/08/14 Norway 0 – 0 UAE
03/09/14 England 1 – 0 Norway

Italy last 5 matches:
08/06/14 Fluminense 3 – 5 Italy
15/06/14 England 1 – 2 Italy
20/06/14 Italy 0 – 1 Costa Rica
24/06/14 Italy 0 – 1 Uruguay
04/09/14 Italy 2 – 0 Netherland

You can watch the match here: Link 1 , Link 2 [Live Scores]