Poland U20 W vs Norway U20 W

The first 10 minutes of the second half proved decisive. Norway stretched their halftime deadlock into a multi-goal lead by the 40th minute, capitalising on Poland's inability to convert from range. Norway hit seven goals from nine-metre range compared to Poland's four, and dominated from the wings (nine wing goals to five) and near range (18 to 14). Poland managed just one goal from the six-metre line against Norway's three.

• Milla Haugerstuen Breen (Norway) — A match-high nine goals at 82% efficiency (9/11). The right back was unstoppable from distance and near range, earning Player of the Match honours. Breen's output was the highest individual scoring performance of the Main Round's opening day.
• Julie Ellingsen (Norway) — Six goals from seven attempts (86%), providing ruthless finishing from the wing positions. Her accuracy was critical in Norway's second-half surge.
• Zofia Chwojnicka (Poland) — A perfect 4/4 shooting in a losing effort, the most efficient performer on either side with more than two attempts.
• Maria Mazurkiewicz (Poland) — Four goals from five attempts (80%), but limited service in the second half as Norway's defence tightened.

Player of the Match: Milla Haugerstuen Breen (Norway U20 W)

Norway's 62% shooting efficiency (29/47) comfortably exceeded Poland's 53% (23/43). The shot volume gap (47 to 43) reflects Norway's greater attacking flow in the second half. Norway dominated from the back court, hitting 7/9 from nine metres while Poland managed 4/9. From the wings — traditionally a high-percentage zone — Norway converted nine of their attempts against Poland's five. The six-metre line also favoured Norway (3 goals to 1). Both sides scored two fastbreak goals and two seven-metre penalties apiece, indicating that Norway's edge came from settled positional attack, not transition.

Main Round Group IV now has all four teams on two points — Poland started with two but lost this match, while Norway picked up their first two points of this phase. Japan (two points) face Hungary (zero points) in the later match at 18:30 CST. The top two sides from each Main Round group advance to the quarter-finals. Both Poland and Norway next play on Tuesday 30 June: Poland take on Japan while Norway face Hungary at the University Gymnasium in Jinzhong.

Norway's preliminary run included a 27–21 win over Croatia, a 24–26 loss to Japan, and a 27–22 victory over the Faroe Islands that secured their Main Round berth. Poland swept Group G with wins over Chinese Taipei (33–10), Tunisia (26–22) and Hungary (27–25).

Norway's superior second-half execution and Breen's nine-goal masterclass flipped a deadlocked contest into a comfortable six-goal win. Poland, who entered with the joint-best defensive record in the tournament alongside France (57 goals conceded in the group stage), could not contain Norway's varied attack — particularly from range and the wings. The Main Round group is now wide open with all four teams level on points.