Lightning start gives young national team easy night against European Championship contender Norway

Jong Oranje recorded a trouble-free practice victory over their peers from Norway (3-0). National coach Erwin van de Looi hopes to become a little wiser this week with an eye on the European Championship, where he hopes to aim high with the Netherlands in June before he waves goodbye.

Taint on the training camp was the virus outbreak at the big Oranje, forcing him to relinquish Ryan Gravenberch and goalkeeper Kjell Scherpen. With Quilindschy Hartman (Feyenoord), Anass Salah-Eddine (Twente), Shurandy Sambo (Sparta) and Sydney van Hooijdonk (Heerenveen), four debutants appeared at the kickoff.

And after five minutes, the game was actually played. Elayis Tavsan headed in the opening goal, after which Crysencio Summerville doubled the margin. Van de Looi wanted to use the game to try some things out and was given every opportunity to do so after this lightning start.

Just before Ludovit Reis headed in the 3-0 from a corner kick in the second half, goalkeeper Jay Gorter had stopped a penalty caused by Reis for the Norwegians.

Norway, like the Netherlands, is competing in the European final round. A practice match against the Czech Republic, also a European Championship participant, follows Monday afternoon. And that match will also be played at the Pinatar Arena in Murcia, Spain.