Copenhagen: Norway will try to keep up the pressure on group leaders Portugal when they travel to Denmark on Tuesday for a European Championship qualifier that could have a decisive effect in the tight Group H.
Norway are level with Portugal on 13 points from six games after a surprisingly strong qualifying campaign, and could deal a big blow to their Scandinavian neighbours with a victory in Copenhagen. The Danes have 10 points with a game in hand but can hardly afford to drop points on Tuesday as they still have to face Portugal in October. Norway's only remaining game is at home against Cyprus.
"There is a lot at stake for the Danes and they will do everything not to lose out to their neighbour in the north," said Norway midfielder Christian Grindheim, who plays for FC Copenhagen. "It's the Danes who have the pressure on them to win. Their whole nation is expecting it and we can travel there with our shoulders down. It's an advantage for us."
Portugal are off this week, with the group's only other game featuring Iceland against Cyprus in a battle to avoid last place.
Denmark only managed a 1-1 draw away to Norway in March and lost 3-1 in Portugal last year, meaning they will likely need to win their remaining three games to finish first in the group. The Danes travel to Cyprus in October before hosting Portugal in what is likely to be a deciding final game.
"Portugal are favorites" for the group win, Denmark coach Morten Olsen said. "But it's up to us now. We have some tough challenges ahead of us and first out of those is Norway."
Norway stunned Portugal 1-0 at home in September before losing by the same score in the return in Lisbon in June. Coach Egil Olsen made it clear he will not be unhappy with a draw on Tuesday.
"Nil-nil won't be a bad score for us in Copenhagen," Olsen said.
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