Norway's national Australian football team, the Trolls, have come from behind to beat the Finnish Icebreakers by two points at Salo in Finland.
In draining 32 degree heat, the Trolls saw off their Nordic neighbours 4.12 (36) to 4.10 (34) in the first ever Australian football meeting between the countries.
The day began in a sporting fashion with the Finns loaning three players to Norway after some key withdrawals and a missed flight left the Trolls without any reserves The teams and umpires stood for a pre-game anthem ceremony and then it was down to business.
The Finns, playing under the tutelage of former Cat and Magpie Carl Steinfort, came out blazing in the first quarter and used their physical superiority to put the visiting Norwegians on the back foot early on.
Controlling the ruck early, the Icebreakers had the better of the clearances and tackled the Norwegians with ferocious intent. Finnish trio Mika Kupila, Jani Saarinen and Kieth Byrne were all busy, with Fern Leon elusive across half forward.
On the back of a shifting breeze, Norway lifted late in the game as their midfield began to push the ball repeatedly into attack. Adam Pearce asserted his class over the contests and Dave Brightbard added spark after being moved from down back.
A goal to Sam Clark and an array of near misses put Norway's noses in front and set up a desperate final five minutes as Finland mounted a frantic final challenge.
Unfortunately for the Finns their final forays into attack were thwarted by some desperate work by the likes of Arne Roseth and Jarle Johansen and time sealed their fate as the Norwegians held on for a two point win, much to the delight of the small Norwegian fan group at the ground.
The game was played in good spirits and served as a valuable warm up for the Finns who play in the European Championships next month. Norway returns to its club competition and the quest to develop more homegrown players for future international contests.
The day was a great success thanks to the organisers, volunteers and supporters, and talks are already underway for a rematch between the countries.
Norway 0.0 2.3 3.5 4.12 (36) defeated Finland 1.3 2.5 3.9 4.10 (34)
Goals
Finland: Timosarri, Kupila, Saarinen, Leino
Norway: Clark 2, O'Toole, Jansen
Best
Finland: Saarinen, Kupila, Leon, Byrne, Koivinen
Norway: Pearce, O`Toole, Roxby, Neil, Brightbard, Clark
