Soccer: Norway wins 3-2 in friendly against Finland

Alexander Tettey (right) joking with Morten "Gamsten" Gamst Pedersen (left). Photo: www.rbk.no.

Morten Gamst Pedersen from Vadsø, Finnmark scored an injury-time winning goal today (April 1) to give Norway a 3-2 victory over Finland in a friendly at Ullevaal Stadium in Oslo.

John Arne Riise, who currently is playing for Roma scored the first goal.

Pedersen had centered to set up Jon Inge Hoiland’s goal in the 90th minute that gave Norway a 2-1 lead, before Alexei Eremenko Jr. equalized two minutes into injury time. Jonathan Johansson gave Finland a 1-0 lead after 39 minutes.

In World Cup qualifying, Norway is in last place in Group 9 with two points from three games, but has a game in hand on Iceland and Scotland, which each have four points. Netherlands leads with 12 points from four games.

Coach Egil Olsen (aka Drillo) signed an extended contract on March 31 that will keep him with the Norwegian team through the end of 2009.