Norway overcame the absence of some key players as they trashed Malta 4-0 in a Euro 2008 qualifying Group C clash on June 2 in Oslo. Locked in a group that has Bosnia-Herzegovina, Turkey and Greece, Norway had to win this game to stay in the hunt for a place in the Euro 2008 finals. Norway were in a tight spot in the Ullevål Stadium simply because they managed to secure just one point from their last three games.

John Arne Riise almost sent Norway into the lead early on with a stinging shot, but it just went wide to leave the scores level. Michael Mifsud tried to break the deadlock at the other end, but his shot was off target. This situation did not last for long as Kristofer Hæstad put the hosts ahead in the 31st minute through a fine header off a Bjorn Helge Riise cross.

Coach Åge Hareiden could afford to relax when Martin Andresen and effervescent John Arne Riise tested the Malta keeper with good shots, but were unable to double their advantage. After the break, John Carew came close for Norway only to see his shot skew off target.

Thorstein Helstad finally turned Norway’s positional dominance into a goal when he tapped in Bjørn Riise's cross on 73 minutes.  Steffen Iversen received a fine ball from Bjorn Helge Riise with 12 minutes to go and Norway had tripled their lead. John Arne Riise finally got just rewards for his hard work on the night as he scored with a long range effort to seal an emphatic win for Norway.

The win keeps Norway in the hunt in Group C with 10 points from six matches, while Malta are on the sixth spot with four points from six games.

Norway meet Hungary, while Malta clash with Bosnia-Herzegovina on June 6. Norway v Malta ended with a comfortable 4-0 home win.