- Kristoffer Gradert (10),
- Jymaal Mellor-King (13),
- Nils Kristian Holte (18),
- Nils Kristian Holte (23),
- Marius Odland Sagelv (26),
- Nils Kristian Holte (30),
- Jakob Øftshus Henriksen (37),
- Emil Grindheim (41),
- Jymaal Mellor-King (57),
- Jymaal Mellor-King (60),
- Kristoffer Gradert (63),
- Sander Milligan (67),
- Jakob Øftshus Henriksen (70),
- Mike Pride (76),
- Nils Kristian Holte (79)
- Jan Zámrský (39)
- Jymaal Mellor-King (2/4),
- Emil Grindheim (11/11)
- Ladislav Cintler (1/1)
- Jakob Øftshus Henriksen,
- Magnus Lima Soiland,
- Kristoffer Gradert,
- Fredrik Skovly,
- Denis Galic,
- Kristoffer Milligan,
- Jymaal Mellor-King,
- Mike Pride,
- Emil Grindheim,
- Nils Kristian Holte,
- Isuf Peci,
- Marius Odland Sagelv,
- Isaac R. Schmidt.
- Subs: Oliver Falk,
- Tygve Hansen,
- Eric Mellor,
- Sander Milligan
- Roman Richtr,
- Tomáš Kasík,
- Matej Schejbal,
- Josef Brynda,
- Jiri Brynda,
- Ladislav Cintler,
- Daniel Veselý,
- Krystof Pecold,
- Tomáš Řičica,
- Tomáš Adamec,
- Jakub Denko,
- Vit Studecky,
- David Bělohlávek.
- Subs: David Slivka,
- Jan Zámrský,
- Adam Mikulas,
- Tobias Marek
Match report
Norway ran in 15 tries as they thrashed Czechia 86-6 at the Strømmen Stadion near Oslo in the opening game of the European Championships. Prop Nils Kristian Holte posted four tries in the Euro D encounter and scrum half Jymaal Mellor-King claimed a hat trick.
Norway head coach, Isaac Schmidt, commented: “Czechia came with strong intent, and it was a good arm wrestle in the opening exchanges, they were very physical with a lot of size and we just had to weather the storm early on.
“We moved the ball around well and made good use of our opportunities. I’m very proud of our front rowers, Mike Pride and especially Nils Holte. Going into our game against Germany, we’ll review who is available after injuries and tidy a few things up. We’re looking forward to it and we’re excited by what we can achieve.”
Holte barged his way over for the first of his touchdowns with Emil Grindheim adding the initial of his 11 successful conversion as Norway posted a point a minute.
Czechia rallied, substitute Jan Zamarsky finding his way to the line, Ladislav Cintler converting. Any confidence the visitors had from their score was soon knocked out of them as Grindheim powered through the middle from the restart restore the gap, Mellor-King’s quickfire brace putting the Vikings into a commanding lead.
The home side didn’t take their foot off the gas, Geldart added his second and Sander Milligan celebrated playing alongside his father Kristoffer with a well-worked try before Øftshus Henriksen posted his brace.
The final words went to Norway’s forwards as workhorse Pride went over and Holte’s last minute effort sealed a player of the match performance.
Czechia head coach, Jakub Hudrlík , noted: “It was a very tough game today for the Czech team. Individually we have great players and we showed our qualities in the first ten minutes. However, after Norway scored their first try, it seems our team spirit was suddenly broken. It got to our heads and reflects on the rest of the match, although Norway played very well. We have great foundations and we have to work on teamwork and team spirit to increase our performance as we go into our next game against Germany.”
Round 2 sees Czechia host Germany on Saturday 18 October in Hradec Králové.