ARNHEM, Netherlands (Reuters) - From joy to misery in five soul-destroying minutes, Norway knew their Euro 2000 fate was sealed when they heard Spanish journalists whooping with joy up in the press tribune.

Norway bowed out of their first European Championship to the sound of a dirge sung by their fans who had thought a 0-0 draw with Slovenia had taken their team into the last eight.

Yugoslavia were leading Spain 3-2 at the time in the other Group C match on Wednesday and a commentator on Norwegian television hailed the draw by bellowing: 'Yes, we are in the Quarter-finals, this is historic.'

But two injury time goals by Spain in Bruges turned the group on its head, and sent the Spaniards through instead of Norway with Yugoslavia.

The Norwegian players remained on the pitch after the final whistle went in their game, uneasily looking towards the press box where reporters were watching pictures from Bruges.

Cheer followed cheer among the Spanish reporters and the Norwegian players knew they were out. They trudged sadly down the tunnel and the supporters literally changed their tune, from lively chants to a painful and heartfelt dirge for their team.

'No matter what I say I'm crushed,' said coach Nils Johan Semb. 'We thought we were in the Quarter-finals, and then we weren't. The whole team is extremely disappointed.'

The players showed their anguish at the turn of events but admitted they had not played well enough to earn their place in the Quarter-finals.

'I thought the game was over, I thought it would be impossible for the Spanish to score two goals in such a short time,' Erik Mykland said. 'We're out and it's our own fault because we played so badly.'

Norway scored just one goal in three games, in their 1-0 defeat of Spain in their opening game.

Stale Solbakken said: 'It was a shock, we haven't been good enough - we can only blame ourselves.'