Fran and Iversen battle for the ball (GaryMPrior/Allsport)

The Spanish provided three of this year's Champions League semi-finalists and were installed as third favourites to win Euro 2000 behind co-hosts Holland and World Cup holders France.

But as has been the case in so many major tournaments they were found wanting with star striker Raul, fresh from Champions League glory, the main culprit in front of goal.

The Real Madrid frontman - back in action for the first time since scoring in the Champions League final for his club - spurned several opportunities as he looked to shake off the after-effects of a thigh injury.

And his country were made to pay as Tottenham striker Iversen climbed highest midway through the second half when goalkeeper Francisco Molina failed to clear a long clearance on the edge of Spain's area.

Iversen's header looped high into the air and bounced into an unguarded net, with Spain only briefly suggesting they could stage a recovery in their opening game of the tournament.

Norway called on no fewer than seven stars from England's top flight, although Everton goalkeeper Thomas Myhre has most recently been playing his club football in Division One with Birmingham.

Liverpool full-back Vegard Heggem, Manchester United duo Henning Berg and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Leeds midfielder Eirik Bakke, Iversen and Chelsea hitman Tore Andre Flo completed the Premier League's involvement.

Solskjaer came closest to breaking the deadlock for Norway as his side gave as good as they got in the opening stages.

The United hitman, playing behind a front two of Iversen and Flo, hit the bar with a looping header off Andre Bergdolmo's whipped cross.

But Spain also hit the woodwork with Joseba Etxeberria's rising 25-yard shot stinging the bar in a first half which suggested Norway's high workrate would wear down the Spaniards' slow build-up.

Etxeberria was also the first name into Egyptian referee Gamal El Ghandour's notebook after 17 minutes for a clumsy challenge on Bent Skammelsrud.

Michel Salgado's inswinging cross from deep on the right was met by a towering header from Ismael Urzaiz, but Myhre dived low to his right to scoop the ball away.

Flo broke free to bare down on the Spanish box but saw his shot sliced high and wide as two opposition defenders closed in.

And Raul was guilty of a lame finish when he let fly from the edge of the area seconds later.

He went much closer four minutes from half-time as Norway's defenders appealed for offside, but dragged his shot wide of the far post with Myhre beaten.

Two minutes later the Madrid star was pulled up for a close-looking offside call, tucking the ball home moments after the referee had blown his whistle.

Norway hit back with a Premiership one-two-three; Iversen released Heggem down the right and Solskjaer eluded his marker only to mistime his shot on the turn, meaning it remained goalless at the interval.

Spain, who now must beat Slovenia in Amsterdam in their next game on Sunday, found Norway's resolve had hardened as the second half ensued.

Skipper Berg organised a formidable defence with Norway getting every man except Flo behind the ball whenever Spain regained possession.

And when the Spanish did break out the supply line to their front men was disappointing, with Salgado reaching the byline but failing to put in a testing cross.

Fran resorted to a thumping, long-range shot after Fernando Hierro's mazy run but Myhre hung on with Raul quickly in and ready to punish the keeper had he spilled the ball.

The game lacked the speed and passion of last night's frenetic Portugal-England match, its atmosphere neatly summed up when Myhre prepared to take his goalkick with a lightweight plastic ball thrown into play by Norwegian fans situated behind his goal.

Berg, who was limping badly following a sliding tackle, was replaced by Dan Eggen and the substitute nearly made an instant impression when both he and Flo were inches from connecting with a corner.

But Norway were in front midway through the half with a typical route-one effort.

A long punt forward saw Molina rush to the edge of the box but he could only clutch thin air as Iversen beat him to the ball and sent a brave header into the net.

John Carew replaced Flo with 20 minutes remaining with the Chelsea star given a rousing send-off by his country's fans, who easily outnumbered their Spanish counterparts in the Feyenoord Stadium.

Valencia's inspirational midfielder Gaizka Mendieta was next to take to the field, along with fellow Spanish substitute Alfonso, and was immediately guilty of an appalling dive in the area which, fortunately for him, the referee overlooked.

Salgado's dipping shot flew wide and Mendieta's blasted shot was deflected wide as Spain desperately searched for an equaliser.

But their search proved fruitless and the hero's send-off for Iversen as he was substituted in injury time was soon followed by scenes of wild celebration among the red-clad hordes of Norwegian supporters as the final whistle sounded.