The Koreans were unhappy that Gro Hammerseng's decider was allowed to stand and remained in their seats on the sideline after full-time in protest.

They remained there for 20 minutes before acknowledging their fans in the stands and walking off.

Korean coach Lim Young-chul said his players believed Hammerseng's goal came two seconds after the final whistle.

Addressing reporters in Korean, he said his team would protest the result with the International Handball Federation but was pessimistic about the chances of success.

The sit-in is reminiscent of a protest by a Korean boxer who refused to leave the ring for an hour after losing his semi-final to a US opponent at the 1988 Seoul Games.

If the result stands, Norway will play either Russia or Hungary in the gold medal decider.

The loss was the Koreans' second defeat to Norway in a major tournament in less than a year, after they were eliminated from the world championships by the same opponent.

Olympic champions in 1988 and 1992, Korea entered the tournament with high hopes. They were beaten by Brazil in the preliminaries then lifted in the quarters to eliminate host nation China 31-23.

But they came up against the form team of the tournament in Norway, which won all five of its group matches before crushing Sweden 31-24 in the quarter-finals.

Norwegian goalie Katrine Haraldsen made two early saves but could do nothing to prevent Korea scoring the first goal.

Norway's Ranghild Aamodt hit back immediately as the teams matched each other goal for goal in the early stages.

The Koreans relied on slick passing and long-range shots against their taller opponents, but could not take the lead as Haraldsen made a string of fine saves to have Norway a 5-3 in front after 10 minutes.

But Korea clawed their way back, rattling in six unanswered goals to lead 12-8 on 24 minutes.

Norway came back again too narrow their score to 14-15 at the end of the first 30-minute half.

They came out firing after the break and were soon up 17-15, inspired by strong left back Tonje Larsen, who showed no sign of any trouble from the broken hand that kept her out of the world championships last year.

It was then the Koreans turn to find their voice, with goalie Lee Minhee keeping her nerve to prevent Kari Mette Johansen scoring from a length of the field run at 23-19 that would have blown out Norway's lead.

The score was 28-26 to Norway going into the final minute when Korea scored, then called a time out.