Yahoo Sports Northern Ireland more dangerous than ever - Grainger
Norway boss Gemma Grainger believes Northern Ireland could be "more dangerous than ever" in the second leg of their Euro 2025 play-off as they "have nothing to lose".
Grainger's side all but ended Northern Ireland's hopes of reaching back-to-back European Championships with a ruthless 4-0 win in the first leg at Inver Park on Friday.
But the former Wales manager believes Tanya Oxtoby's side now pose a different threat as they will treat it as a one-off game.
"When you have nothing to lose you have the full freedom, so I think the underdog mentality is even stronger this time," she told BBC Sport NI.
"What do they have to lose? I expect them to be strong and we are the higher-ranked team, so the pressure is on us to perform."
'We want to be better'
Grainger was impressed by Northern Ireland's dogged second-half display in Larne, when they limited Norway to just one goal.
"I know the spirit, the hard work and their 'never giving up' attitude. I wasn't surprised by it and I hugely respect it," she continued.
"They had that defensive discipline [in the second half] and that fight to work for each other."
The 42-year-old is also demanding her side do not take their foot off the gas as they look to send a message out to other teams already qualified for the Euros that Norway aim to compete in Switzerland next year.
Norway have lost just one of the 12 games under Grainger since she took over in January.
"We want to be better. In these 12 games the team have taken some real steps so I'm proud of them, but I want to be in a position where we can set some strong goals for 2025."
Norway 'don't want to stop after first game'
Norway forward Ada Hegerberg is relishing the chance to close out what has been a positive year on a high in the second leg, which is being played at the 28,000-capacity Ullevaal Stadium.
"It's nice to be back home again, we're not here very often, so to play with the crowd is a very nice feeling," she said.
"We have an opportunity to seal our ticket to the Euros so we will take that very seriously. We don't want to stop after the first game.
"I know 4-0 is a strong result but our minds have shifted to it being 0-0 again because we really want to achieve a good result."
The former Ballon d'Or winner admitted she is pleased to be back playing on a grass pitch that is more expansive than the smaller, synthetic surface at Inver Park.
"I appreciate a good grass pitch. For all players involved that is a win, we want to play on good pitches and in good stadiums and that should be the case for everyone at this level," she added.
Hegerberg, who has scored 49 international goals, started on the bench on Friday night and acknowledged there is fierce competition for places in the squad.
"You need a strong base of players but also some knocking on the door who want a place in the squad, and I feel like we're heading towards that," she explained.
"I think and I hope we're onto something good."
