Norway is a formidable side and shouldn’t be taken lightly, despite having crashed out surprisingly early at the 2011 World Cup in Germany. The Gresshoppene has produced a decent amount of success; six-time Euro Cup finalists—winners in 1987 and 1993—and two-time World Cup finalists (winners in 1995). Norway has also collected a bronze (1996) and gold medal (2000) at the Olympics. Overlook them at your own peril.
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Roster
Goalkeepers: Ingrid Hjelmseth, Silje Vesterbekkmo and Cecilie Fiskerstrand
Defenders: Maria Thorisdottir, Marita Skammelsrud Lund, Maren Mjelde, Trine Bjerke Rønning, Nora Holstad Berge, Ingrid Moe Wold and Marit Sandvei
Midfielders: Solveig Gulbrandsen, Gry Tofte Ims, Lene Mykjåland, Ingrid Schjelderup, Kristine Minde and Emilie Haavi
Forwards: Melissa Bjånesøy, Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland, Isabell Herlovsen, Anja Sønstevold, Elise Thorsnes, Ada Hegerberg and Hege Hansen
Coach
Former Canadian women’s coach Even Pellerud has been tasked with reviving Norway’s international reputation following a quick World Cup exit in 2011. This will be his second stint of the senior side, having coached the Norwegian ladies from 1989-1996—guiding them to a second place finish at the inaugural women’s World Cup in 1991, before being crowned world champions four years later. He also won an Olympic bronze medal in 1996.
Schedule
June 7: vs. Thailand in Ottawa
June 11: vs. Germany in Ottawa
June 15: vs. Ivory Coast in Moncton
How they qualified
It was a two-horse race, but the Norwegians finished two points clear of the Netherlands to win their UEFA qualifying group.
Team strengths
Flying in under the radar is a weapon that Norway should look to exploit mercifully. Expectations are reasonable; they will compete with minimal pressure, as the majority of focus is on the tournament’s heavy-hitters.
Team weaknesses
Eight players on the squad haven’t hit double-digits in caps, and only five are over 28 years of age—sometimes a youth movement can be seen as a negative. Long-term, Norway is on the right track, but if anything derails their ambitions, it’s going to be the simple fact that they have too many soldiers and not enough generals.
Player to watch
With almost a century of caps for Norway—since debuting in 2004—Isabell Herlovsen is almost averaging a goal-per-game for the national side. At club level, the 26 year-old German-born striker has collected a runners-up medal with Olympique Lyon at the 2012 UEFA Women’s Champions League final, as well as four Toppserien (Norwegian Top Division) titles and two Norwegian Cups. Herlovsen has also won Toppserien golden boot in 2012, netting 25 goals that season.
Burning question
Is Norway a legitimate dark horse? They’ve always been highly competitive—just check their history—and despite an early exit in 2011, Norway beat perennial contenders Germany in the group stage of the 2013 European Championship before losing to the Germans in the final. A place in the last four would put to bed any talk of stagnation within the national program.
Prospects
It really comes down to their result against Germany on June 11, as Norway should cruise past Thailand and Ivory Coast. Technically, finishing runners-up in Group B would provide an easier route to the semis—as that would most likely pit them against England in the round of 16, with China or Canada should they progress to the quarters. If by chance Norway ends up group winners, the probable scenario is a quarterfinal fixture against the French. The former seems like the better option.
World Cup history
1991 – Runners-up
1995 – Champions
1999 – Fourth place
2003 – Quarterfinal
2007 – Semifnals (4th place)
2011 – Group stage