Spain cruise past Norway to Euro 2004 finals

Captain Raul led Spain into the Euro 2004 finals on Wednesday with the first goal in a stylish 3-0 victory over Norway in the second leg of their playoff.

The Real Madrid striker, who also scored in last Saturday's 2-1 first leg win in Valencia, was on target after 34 minutes before second half goals from Vicente and Joseba Etxeberria secured a 5-1 aggregate victory.

"We played one of our best away games ever. We have advanced in a brilliant, brilliant manner," Spain coach Inaki Saez said.

"The players were immense for the 90 minutes of the game, they never dropped their guard for a moment. It really would have hurt me a lot of this group of players had not made it to Portugal -- this team had to be there."

Nils Johan Semb, whose five-year reign as Norway coach ended with the defeat, conceded that his team had been outplayed in their worst loss in Oslo in 14 years.

"They were simply better than us on all levels," he said. "We had no real chance. We didn't manage to match their tempo. This was no pleasant exit."

Semb, who led Norway to Euro 2000, leaves after 29 wins, 21 draws and 18 losses.

Norway struggled to contain the creative skills of Juan Carlos Valeron and were forced to play too deep to pose any real threat to Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas.

Valeron provided the neat through ball for Raul, who broke free from his marker Ronny Johnsen to shoot low past Norwegian goalkeeper Espen Johnsen for the first goal just after the half-hour mark.

Vicente grabbed Spain's second in the 49th minute, shooting low into the net after an error by defender Christer Basma left him with the ball in the area.

Luckless Norway keeper Johnsen, dubbed "Magic Johnsen" for a string of spectacular saves away in the first leg in Valencia, miskicked a clearance straight to the head of Etxeberria in the 55th minute.

Etxeberria managed to steer it over Johnsen into the empty net, hardly believing his own good fortune. Johnsen, who had hurt his right ankle in a fall in the first half, was taken off and replaced by Frode Olsen shortly afterwards.

Norway created few chances, even though they had to win to qualify.

Striker Tore Andre Flo headed one ball harmlessly to Casillas and John Arne Riise managed a shot that bounced out for a corner late in the game, after many disheartened Norwegian fans had already left Oslo's Ullevaal stadium.

Norwegian substitute goalkeeper's Olsen's main feat was to fell a supporter who ran onto the pitch late in the game.

Raul's goal was his 37th goal in 68 games for his country.

"We were the team that really wanted to be there in Portugal," he told Spanish radio station Onda Cero. "We have seven months to prepare for the tournament and we can now dream of bringing home the success that Spanish football needs."