Norway were on the wrong end of one of the most dramatic turnarounds ever witnessed on a football field as they saw their Euro 2000 hopes bite the dust yesterday.

Nils Johan Semb's side thought they had booked their place in the last eight after playing out a nerve-jangling goalless draw with Slovenia. With Spain still down 3-2 to Yugoslavia as the final whistle blew in Arnhem, the Norwegians looked assured of second place in Group C behind the Yugoslavs. But incredibly Spain struck twice in stoppage time to win 4-3. That dropped the Norwegians down into third by virtue of their reverse against Yugoslavia.

For rank outsiders Slovenia it meant they propped up the group, but they can look back on their first major tournament with great pride and Srecko's Katanec's side will not be underestimated again on the international stage.

Norway coach Nils Johan Semb was able to welcome back Steffen Iversen, goal-hero for them against Spain, the Spurs striker having recovered from the broken nose he sustained in the 1-0 loss against Yugoslavia on Sunday.

Slovenia, needing a win before kick-off to stand any chance of qualifying for the quarter-finals, were quickly on the offensive with playmaker Zlatko Zahovic the creative force. But they suffered a blow in the 10th minute when midfielder Miran Pavlin was stretchered off after a clash of heads.

Norway defeated Slovenia 4-0 and 2-1 in their qualifying group for Euro 2000 and knew a win would definitely see them into the last eight regardless of what happened in the other tie, but they failed to show enough guile to break down Slovenia's stubborn resistance.

Tempers flared in a desperate finale with Katanec's side looking for the goal that would take them through. But Norway, content to defend deeply, held firm and left the field to great applause believing they had gone through. It was not to be.