Savo Milosevic claimed his third goal of Euro 2000 tonight as a revamped and revitalised Yugoslavia found their rhythm and beat Norway 1-0 to go top of Group C. The victory was marred when Mateja Kezman was sent off in the 88th minute for a violent foul on Erik Mykland within a minute of going on as substitute, Yugoslavia's second dismissal in as many games.
The win over the early group leaders, coupled with Spain's 2-1 defeat of Slovenia, left Yugoslavia top on four points with one match against Spain to come. Spain and Norway each have three, Slovenia one. Yugoslavia, making five changes to their starting line-up, looked a totally different side to the toothless team that were 3-0 down to Slovenia in the first 60 minutes of their opening match before drawing 3-3. Vujadin Boskov's men also provided plenty of histrionics, regularly crumpling to the ground in a no-nonsense game without too much finesse.
With defender Sinisa Mihajlovic suspended after being sent off against Slovenia, Yugoslavia revamped their highly suspect defence with only fullback Miroslav Djukic retaining his place. Milosevic, who came on as a second-half substitute against Slovenia to score two goals, started and looked immediately lively in the area. He was back on the score sheet in the eighth minute with the slightest of deflections off a Vladimir Jugovic free kick on the right near the edge of the area. Yugoslavia could have had more goals, with goalkeeper Thomas Myhre tipping Predrag Mijatovic's shot over the bar and Milosevic denied his second by Bjorn Otto Bragstad when his 17th minute shot was blocked.
Norway, without injured captain Henning Berg, left Chelsea striker Tore Andre Flo as their main striker and he always looked dangerous without finding that final scoring touch that has eluded him since October. His best effort came when he forced Ivica Kralj to make an outstanding diving save, the goalkeeper tipping a curling shot wide in the 12th minute. He also headed on a ball for Eirik Bakke to head narrowly over in the 53rd. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, adding bite to Norway's attack, had a penalty claim denied in the 29th when he was bundled to the ground by a defender.
Reuters
