Women’s Euros: Norway take advantage of outsider status before the clash against England | Soccer News

When the Norwegian players landed in England on July 3, there was little talk of them as one of the teams likely to win Euro 2022. After a resounding victory against Northern Ireland in their first game of group, that’s starting to change.

A team filled with star players in Europe’s top leagues, Norway’s individual talent eclipses their FIFA World Ranking of 11.

Leading the pack is the first-ever Ballon d’Or winner and top scorer in Champions League history – Ada Hegerberg.

“It’s a very, very big game for the group stage,” said the Lyon striker Sky Sports News ahead of their huge Group A game against England.

“Obviously playing at home in a crowded stadium is the time we play for. We’re going to enjoy it.”

Hegerberg apologized during our interview for speaking in cliches, saying they had to “take every game as they come”, but let out a rye smile as he discussed whether she was hoping to ruin the match. summer of English fans.

The striker returned from a 20-month injury layoff in October and one of the ways to cope was to set various short and long-term goals.

The short term goals were various based on fitness, the long term goal was to play at the highest level again with Lyon. She more than achieved this by taking part in the French giants’ Champions League campaign, scoring in the final.

Reconnected with “world-class” Hansen

Hegerberg is always quick to talk about the abilities of her international team-mates, especially Barcelona striker Caroline Graham Hansen who she calls “truly world-class”.

The couple’s friendship had to be put on hold during the build-up to the Champions League final in May, with the usual text-to-talk chatting halted.

But now they are reunited, much to Hegerberg’s delight.

“Now that the season is over, it’s interesting because…Boom! We’re back together, we’re doing everything we can to be our best together and be the best for Norway.”

Besides being one of the most talented players in the competition, Graham Hansen is a serial winner.

She won seven domestic trophies in five seasons at Wolfsburg before winning three consecutive league titles and a Champions League winners’ medal at Barcelona.

Add to that back-to-back Women’s Super League champions Guro Reiten and Maran Mjelde of Chelsea, Arsenal midfielder Frida Maanum and potential star Julie Blakstad of Manchester City. Norway truly have one of the most accomplished starting XIs in the tournament.

Almost every player mentioned so far had an influential impact in Norway’s opening Euro 2022 victory over Northern Ireland. Blackstad, Maanum, Hansen and Reiten scored the goals.

Reiten assisted in the opener, as it took less than 13 minutes for Hegerberg to get her hands on a goal on her return to a major international tournament, often playing selfless passes for her teammates to shine.

It was a warning to the other teams in Group A and beyond – we are here to play. As quarter-finalists of the 2019 World Cup, they are aiming for another chance at the knockout stages.

“I love to spoil the party,” full-back Tuva Hansen told Fotmob.

Beating the team that the majority of the 30,000 fans came to cheer on in Brighton on Monday night will certainly be one way to do that.

If that happens, Norway will no longer be an outsider.

Follow Euro 2022 on Sky Sports

Catch up on all the latest Euro 2022 news on Sky Sports and Sky Sports News this summer.

Coverage will be anchored by Sky Sports WSL presenter Caroline Barker, alongside Jessica Creighton and Kyle Walker. Meanwhile, Karen Carney, Sue Smith, Courtney Sweetman-Kirk and Laura Bassett will provide analysis throughout the tournament.

They will also be joined by experienced England goalkeeper Karen Bardsley and Manchester City defender Esme Morgan.

Pundits and presenters will work from the Sky Sports Women’s Euro 2022 mobile presentation bus, which will follow the Sky Sports News team around the country to the various stadiums where the matches are taking place.

Additionally, Sky Sports’ Essential Football Podcast will be rebranded for the Sky Sports Women’s Euros Podcast Tournament from June 21. Hosted by Charlotte Marsh and Anton Toloui, it will feature exclusive news and player interviews in addition to a solid tournament programme.

Euro 2022: The groups…

Group A: England, Austria, Norway, Northern Ireland

Group B: Germany, Denmark, Spain, Finland

Group C: Netherlands, Sweden, Portugal, Switzerland

Group D: France, Italy, Belgium, Iceland

Euro 2022: The schedule…

Group stage

Wednesday July 6

Group A: England 1-0 Austria

Thursday July 7

Group A: Norway 4-1 Northern Ireland

Friday July 8

Group B: Spain 4-1 Finland

Group B: Germany 4-0 Denmark

Saturday July 9

Group C: Portugal 2-2 Switzerland

Group C: Netherlands 1-1 Sweden

Sunday July 10

Group D: Belgium v ​​Iceland – Kick off 5.00pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium

Group D: France vs Italy – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium

Monday July 11

Group A: Austria v Northern Ireland – kick off 5pm, St Mary’s

Group A: England v Norway – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium

tuesday july 12

Group B: Denmark v Finland – Kick off 5.00pm, Stadium MK

Group B: Germany v Spain – Kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium

Wednesday July 13

Group C: Sweden v Switzerland – kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane

Group C: Netherlands-Portugal – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village

Thursday July 14

Group D: Italy v Iceland – Kick off 5.00pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium

Group D: France vs Belgium – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium

friday july 15

Group A: Northern Ireland v England – kick off 8pm St Mary’s

Group A: Austria v Norway – Kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium

Saturday July 16

Group B: Finland vs Germany – Kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK

Group B: Denmark v Spain – Kick off 8pm, London Community Stadium

Sunday July 17

Group C: Switzerland vs Netherlands – kick off 5pm, Bramall Lane

Group C: Sweden v Portugal – kick off 5pm, Leigh Sports Village

Monday July 18

Group D: Iceland vs France – Kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium

Group D: Italy v Belgium – Kick off 8pm, Manchester City Academy Stadium

Knockout stage

Quarter-finals

Wednesday July 20

Quarter-final 1: Winners Group A v Runners-up Group B – kick off 8pm, Brighton and Hove Community Stadium

Thursday July 21

Quarter-Final 2: Group B Winners v Group A Runners-up 8pm, London Community Stadium

friday july 22

Quarter-final 3: Winners Group C v Runners-up Group D – kick-off 8pm, Leigh Sports Village

Quarter-Final 4: Winners Group D v Runners-up Group C – kick-off 8pm, New York Stadium

Semi-finals

tuesday july 26

Semi-Final 1: Quarter-Final Winners 1 v Quarter-Final Winners 3 – Kick-off 8pm, Bramall Lane

Wednesday July 27

Semi-Final 2: Winner Quarter-Final 2 v Winner Quarter-Final 4 – Kick-off 8pm, Stadium MK

Final

Sunday July 31

Winners Semi-Final 1 v Winners Semi-Final 2 – Kick-off 5pm, Wembley