Lauren Wade scored a superb extra-time winner as Northern Ireland defeated Croatia 2-1 on aggregate in the opening play-off round.
After a 1-1 draw in Croatia and a frustrating 90 minutes in Belfast, the Hearts winger stepped up to score from distance and set up the tie with Norway.
Prior to that, Oxtoby’s side secured a play-off by finishing second in their group in Euro 2025 qualifying.
Their campaign started with a draw at home to Malta before a first victory in Bosnia-Herzegovina.
Two defeats by eventual group winners Portugal followed, but NI ended their campaign on a high with a win in Malta and victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina in their final qualifier.
Before qualifying started, Norway would have been tipped to qualify for the Euros automatically but Gemma Grainger’s side have had to fight their way through the play-offs.
They finished third in Group A1 behind Italy and the Netherlands. Their campaign started with a 4-0 win over Finland before a 1-0 defeat away to the Dutch.
Norway finished their campaign with four draws – twice against Italy, away to Finland and at home to the Netherlands.
Rather dauntingly, Norway defeated Albania 14-0 on aggregate in their first-round play-off to put away any fears that they had lost their ruthless edge.
