Not sure what's up with your formation there, Minde seemed to play on the left for the most part…? Speaking of, Minde has played in every single position on the field except goalkeeper, at one point or another. But left back? Naw, if you're not going to play Thorsnes (in addition to her pace, her long throws also are a valuable asset) play Tomter there. If not using Tomter, playing Minde on the wing in front of her can help shore up for Thorsnes' lack of defensive instincts... but speaking of Thorsnes, she's does seem to have fixed some of her troubles with the back role; I didn't notice nearly as many egregious defensive mistakes in these matches as in some of her earlier ones. The main problem I noticed now is she's too right-footed, so when she goes forward she'll get past the defence and then have to turn around before crossing and it didn't really work out. I disagree with you about Andrine H., she's perfectly capable of hitting one-touch passes but that requires her teammates to be in position to receive them. When they're not, having someone who can keep calm on the ball is an asset. If she has a problem, it's that she likes to use her left foot a bit too much, even though she's got a pretty good right foot as well. For CB, Thorisdottir has pace to spare, and when Sjögren brings her to the camp even though she's still not match fit I imagine he wants to use her. Overall I don't really care that much about who plays; more that we actually get a system where people know what to do in whatever position they get dropped into, and where we actually have a plan when playing against established defence. That's been our single biggest weakness, the major gameplan seems to have been "hoof it forward and hope Ada/Caro can do something!". And I think Sjögren's made a good start there! That said, I'd also like to see Mjelde in midfield, and obviously Caro when she's fit.
Oops. Yes, she and Ada should switch positions on that overview. She has featured at left back a few times and done well, also under Pellerud. I can't see Minde compete for any of the three front positions when CG Hansen, Herlovsen and Haavi etc are available, but I still want her in the team. Her work rate is excellent and much needed.
I translated a short interview from NFFs own website with new NT coach Martin Sjögren after the La Manga games: Norway opened the year with two strong wins, first 2-1 against Sweden and then 1-0 against England. - We had one half each today. We were the better team before the break, and England put us under pressure in the second half. But we created most chances, and I think we won deservedly in the end, Sjögren said after the game. - I'm satisfied with the way we try to build from the back, which is what we have worked on, and that we had more variation in our game than against Sweden. In addition, our defensive game was very good today. We worked hard and showed tremendous morale. That's why we won the game. The new NT coach thinks it has been a positive week in Spain. - I'm particularly pleased with two things this week at La Manga. It's important that the players absorb the new ideas, and they have done that. The girls have been fantastic in that aspect. Furthermore, the morale is enormous in this group, and that will drive the development process in the right direction, he tells. - Even if our main focus is on improvement, and follow the outlined plan of development, winning football matches is very important. By winning these two games against good teams, we showed there is a winning mentality in the group. Sjögren now looks forward to the next gathering. - It's been intense and very fun these few days. I already look forward to our next camp at Algarve. Now we have started out, but next time we need to up our game another level.
Another Friday, another silly season update. Players come and go, but we might have more foreign players in Toppserien this season than ever before. Interesting. Arna Bjørnar IN: OUT: Bianca Sierra (df, back to America), Sigrid H. Hansen (mf, Kolbotn) Avaldsnes IN: Larissa Pereira (fw, Flamengo), Kathlynn Fraine (gk, Vittsjö), Francielle M. Alberto (mf, Corinthians), Diane Santos (df, Rio Preto) OUT: Maren Mjelde (mf, Chelsea), Madalyn Schiffel (gk, Seattle Reign), Frida Magnusdottir (fw, back to Iceland), Thorunn Jonsdottir (mf, back to Iceland), Leticia Santos (df, unknown dest.), Bruna Benites (df, Houston Dash), Hege Hansen (fw, Klepp), Laila Himle (df, Sandviken) Grand Bodø IN: Siiri Välimaa (gk, Kolbotn), Linda Ruutu (fw, HJK Helsinki) OUT: Klepp IN: Hege Hansen (fw, Avaldsnes), Tameka Butt (mf, Mallbackens IF), Kirsty Yallop (mf, Mallbackens IF), Venera Rexhi (mf, Växjö DFF), Elisabeth Terland (fw, Bryne), Ina Kristoffersen (df, Hinna) OUT: Gry Tofte Ims (pregnant), Astrid Grøttå Ree (df, retiring), Marie Bakke (df, retiring), Line Smørsgård (fw, retiring), Eliza Campbell (gk, Adelaide United) Kolbotn IN: Nora Eide Lie (mf, Urædd), Sigrid H. Hansen (mf, Arna Bjørnar), Camilla Ose (fw, Vålerenga) OUT: Solveig Gulbrandsen (mf, retiring), Rachel Axon (mf, retiring), Siiri Välimaa (gk, Grand Bodø), Cecilie Liane (df, Stabæk), Fanny Andersson (fw, KIF Örebro), Andrea Thun (fw, retiring) LSK Kvinner IN: Guro Reiten (mf, Trondheims-Ørn), Synne Skinnes Hansen (fw, Røa), Ingrid Kvernvolden (fw, Fart), Ida Fjordbakk (df, Medkila), Lene Lauve (gk, Urædd), Silje Blakstad (fw, Vålerenga) OUT: Emilie Haavi (fw, Boston Breakers), Lene Mykjåland (mf, retiring or PSG), Erin McNulty (gk, retiring), Marte Berget (fw, retiring), Celine K. Pettersen (mf, retiring), Marita Skammelsrud Lund (df, retiring), Marit Sandvei (df, retiring), Lill-Yvonn Karlsrud (gk, retiring), Sherida Spitse (mf, Twente) Medkila IN: Tiffany McCarty (fw, Kansas City), Megan Kufeld (gk, Sundsvall), Alexandra Quincey (df, Kokkola F10) OUT: Ida Fjordbakk (df, LSK Kvinner), Katrine W. Jørgensen (df, Røa), Cesilie Andreassen (mf, Trondheims-Ørn) Røa IN: Lisa-Marie Utland (fw, Trondheims-Ørn), Mari J. Johansen (gk, Byåsen), Mariken Kleppe (df, Urædd), Katrine W. Jørgensen (df, Medkila), Shade Pratt (df, Portland Thorns) OUT: Silje Vesterbekkmo (gk, retiring), Synne Skinnes Hansen (fw, LSK Kvinner), Eline Torneus (df, retiring), Hedda Strand Gardsjord (df, retiring), Isabel Bårdsgjære (df, Vålerenga) Sandviken IN: Nora Gjøen (gk, Grei), Laila Himle (df, Avaldsnes) OUT: Stine Andreassen (fw, retiring), Åsne Takle Eide (df, unknown dest.), Isabell Gjerde (df, unknown dest.), Ashley Thompson (gk, unknown dest.), Julie Hansen (df, Åsane) Stabæk IN: Andrea Willmann (fw, Lyn), Frida Maanum (mf, Lyn), Heidi Ellingsen (mf, Lyn), Cecilie Liane (df, Kolbotn), Synne Jensen (fw, Wolfsburg - now permanent) OUT: Line Hauge (df, retiring), Ida Elise Enget (fw, retiring), Ingvild Stensland (mf, retiring), Gunnhildur Jonsdottir (mf, Vålerenga), Marie Dølvik Markussen (fw, Wolfsburg) Trondheims-Ørn IN: Cesilie Andreassen (mf, Medkila), Hannah Bacon (mf, Sydney FC) OUT: Guro Reiten (mf, LSK Kvinner), Lisa-Marie Utland (fw, Røa), Guro Ramstad (fw, Byåsen), Kristin Reistad (df, Byåsen) Vålerenga IN: Elise Krieghoff (fw, Boston Breakers), Teigan Allen (df, Melbourne City), Gunnhildur Jonsdottir (mf, Stabæk), Theresa Nielsen (df, Brøndby), Isabel Bårdsgjære (df, Røa) OUT: Maija Saari (df, HJK Helsinki), Kelsey Frances Hood (mf, retiring), Jennie Nordin (df, unknown dest.), Line Johansen (gk, unknown dest.), Camilla Christensen (mf, retiring), Camilla Ose (fw, Kolbotn), Tina De Caigny (df, Anderlecht), Tine Schryvers (mf, Kristianstad DFF), Silje Blakstad (fw, LSK Kvinner)
Coming back to this, Ada had some hamstring issues in training before the match and it was agreed she would play but come off if she noticed anything. Declared she should be fine, but Lyon had a match this weekend which I think she sat out, but that was a cup match against a second-division side so this may or may not mean anything. Andrine, on the other hand, caught a ball to the head in the England match and was stretchered off. Apparently she's out of action for another week due to a concussion: https://www.instagram.com/p/BP8TOj3B9lI/
A few pre-season friendlies have been arranged between Toppserien clubs over the last two days. Thursday: Arna Bjørnar vs Sandviken 2-0 1-0 Lisa Naalsund 2-0 Ingrid Altermark Friday: Stabæk vs Vålerenga 5-0 1-0 Melissa Bjånesøy 2-0 Synne Jensen 3-0 Victoria Ludvigsen 4-0 Melissa Bjånesøy 5-0 Melissa Bjånesøy LSK Kvinner vs Kolbotn 2-0 1-0 Sophie Haug 2-0 Isabell Herlovsen Avaldsnes, LSK Kvinner, Røa, Kolbotn, Stabæk, Arna-Bjørnar and Sandviken are leaving for Spain and La Manga next week for training camps and more test games.
A couple of friendlies at La Manga today involving both Bergen clubs in Toppserien: Arna-Bjørnar vs Basel 1-1 1-0 Amalie Eikeland 1-1 unknown Swiss scorer (penalty) Good to see a friendly against a non-Scandinavian club for once. Basel are currently second in the Swiss league. Røa vs Sandviken 2-3 0-1 Marina Jensen (penalty) 25 0-2 Marina Jensen (penalty) 37 1-2 Lisa-Marie Utland 50 2-2 Tuva Espås 87 2-3 Camilla Ervik 90 Utland scoring in her debut match for Røa.
One match at Pinatar (Spain) today, the "battle of Norway": Avaldsnes vs LSK Kvinner 2-2 1-0 Elise Thorsnes 24 2-0 Elise Thorsnes 27 2-1 Isabell Bachor 31 2-2 Guro Reiten 48 Both teams severely weakened after last season. It's going to be interesting to see how they cope with the challenges ahead. To illustrate the team changes, regular starters from last season are in green. LSK KVINNER: Cecilie Fiskerstrand – Ingrid Moe Wold, Ida Fjordbakk, Anna Westerlund, Anja Sønstevold – Ingrid Spord, Isabell Bachor - Synne Skinnes Hansen, Guro Reiten, Ingrid Kvernvolden – Sophie Haug. AVALDSNES: Katie Fraine - Oda Arnesen, Andreia Andrade, Daiane Santos, Hanna Dahl - Francielle Alberto, Meryll Abrahamsen, Olaug Tvedten, Synne Vatnem- Elise Thorsnes - Hanna Jønland Isabell Herlovsen should have played for LSK, but stayed home as she is rumoured to be negotiating with a Chinese club.
Isabell Herlovsen has gone to Chinese club Jiangsu, becoming the most expensive transfer from a Norwegian women's club and reportedly earning more than a million NOK. Unfortunately, she's also withdrawn from the NT because of the distance, and because she wants to focus on her new club.
Check this with Yukari Kinga going to China for upcomming season as well, and now Isabell Herlovsen - we can expect a train of well known names following both of them in the near future - especially with that kind of money involved.
Herlovsen to Asian football is interesting. Back in the 1990's, Norway had many players who enjoyed success in the Japanese league, especially for Nikko Securities Dream Ladies (now folded, I believe) with several championship titles in a row. Linda Medalen, Heidi Støre, Hege Riise, Agnethe Carlsen played there until foreign players were banned for some reason.
It's not that foreign players were banned, just the top clubs folded at end of the 90's. Nikko Securities as you've said had 3 titles between 96 - 98 and bunch of foreign players in the roster as well but few months after winning the last title club folded - following effects of burst of economic bubble that caught with the sponsors. Half of the woso league teams folded around 98 - 99 in Japan.
One match at La Manga today: Arna Bjørnar vs Grasshoppers Zürich 9-2 1-0 Amalie Eikeland 1-1 unknown Swiss scorer 2-1 Lisa Naalsund 3-1 Alex Alugas 4-1 Amalie Eikeland 5-1 Alex Alugas 5-2 unknown Swiss scorer 6-2 Jaclyn Sawicki 7-2 Lisa Naalsund 8-2 Jaclyn Sawicki 9-2 Charlotte Ulvesæther Grasshoppers are currently 8th in the Swiss league and Arna Bjørnar finished 8th in Toppserien last season. Two goals each for Alugas and Sawicki, two North Americans currently on trial at A-B.
Another Friday with silly season updates. Arna Bjørnar IN: Helene Gloppen (df, Sandviken) OUT: Bianca Sierra (df, back to America), Sigrid H. Hansen (mf, Kolbotn) Avaldsnes IN: Larissa Pereira (fw, Flamengo), Kathlynn Fraine (gk, Vittsjö), Francielle M. Alberto (mf, Corinthians), Diane Santos (df, Rio Preto) OUT: Maren Mjelde (mf, Chelsea), Madalyn Schiffel (gk, Seattle Reign), Frida Magnusdottir (fw, back to Iceland), Thorunn Jonsdottir (mf, back to Iceland), Leticia Santos (df, unknown dest.), Bruna Benites (df, Houston Dash), Hege Hansen (fw, Klepp), Laila Himle (df, Sandviken) Grand Bodø IN: Siiri Välimaa (gk, Kolbotn), Linda Ruutu (fw, HJK Helsinki) OUT: Klepp IN: Hege Hansen (fw, Avaldsnes), Tameka Butt (mf, Mallbackens IF), Kirsty Yallop (mf, Mallbackens IF), Venera Rexhi (mf, Växjö DFF), Elisabeth Terland (fw, Bryne), Ina Kristoffersen (df, Hinna) OUT: Gry Tofte Ims (pregnant), Astrid Grøttå Ree (df, retiring), Marie Bakke (df, retiring), Line Smørsgård (fw, retiring), Eliza Campbell (gk, Adelaide United) Kolbotn IN: Nora Eide Lie (mf, Urædd), Sigrid H. Hansen (mf, Arna Bjørnar), Camilla Ose (fw, Vålerenga), Antonia Göransson (fw, Mallbacken) OUT: Solveig Gulbrandsen (mf, retiring), Rachel Axon (mf, retiring), Siiri Välimaa (gk, Grand Bodø), Cecilie Liane (df, Stabæk), Fanny Andersson (fw, KIF Örebro), Andrea Thun (fw, retiring), Camilla and Linn Huseby (df, Lyn - on loan) LSK Kvinner IN: Guro Reiten (mf, Trondheims-Ørn), Synne Skinnes Hansen (fw, Røa), Ingrid Kvernvolden (fw, Fart), Ida Fjordbakk (df, Medkila), Lene Lauve (gk, Urædd), Silje Blakstad (fw, Vålerenga) OUT: Emilie Haavi (fw, Boston Breakers), Lene Mykjåland (mf, retiring or PSG), Erin McNulty (gk, retiring), Marte Berget (fw, retiring), Celine K. Pettersen (mf, retiring), Marita Skammelsrud Lund (df, retiring), Marit Sandvei (df, retiring), Lill-Yvonn Karlsrud (gk, retiring), Sherida Spitse (mf, Twente), Isabell Herlovsen (fw, Jiangsu Suning) Medkila IN: Tiffany McCarty (fw, Kansas City), Megan Kufeld (gk, Sundsvall), Alexandra Quincey (df, Kokkola F10) OUT: Ida Fjordbakk (df, LSK Kvinner), Katrine W. Jørgensen (df, Røa), Cesilie Andreassen (mf, Trondheims-Ørn) Røa IN: Lisa-Marie Utland (fw, Trondheims-Ørn), Mari J. Johansen (gk, Byåsen), Mariken Kleppe (df, Urædd), Katrine W. Jørgensen (df, Medkila), Shade Pratt (df, Portland Thorns) OUT: Silje Vesterbekkmo (gk, retiring), Synne Skinnes Hansen (fw, LSK Kvinner), Eline Torneus (df, retiring), Hedda Strand Gardsjord (df, retiring), Isabel Bårdsgjære (df, Vålerenga) Sandviken IN: Nora Gjøen (gk, Grei), Laila Himle (df, Avaldsnes) OUT: Stine Andreassen (fw, retiring), Åsne Takle Eide (df, unknown dest.), Isabell Gjerde (df, unknown dest.), Ashley Thompson (gk, unknown dest.), Julie Hansen (df, Åsane), Helene Gloppen (df, Arna Bjørnar) Stabæk IN: Andrea Willmann (fw, Lyn), Frida Maanum (mf, Lyn), Heidi Ellingsen (mf, Lyn), Cecilie Liane (df, Kolbotn), Synne Jensen (fw, Wolfsburg - now permanent) OUT: Line Hauge (df, retiring), Ida Elise Enget (fw, retiring), Ingvild Stensland (mf, retiring), Gunnhildur Jonsdottir (mf, Vålerenga), Marie Dølvik Markussen (fw, Wolfsburg), Guro Pettersen (gk, Fortuna Hjørring - on loan) Trondheims-Ørn IN: Cesilie Andreassen (mf, Medkila), Hannah Bacon (mf, Sydney FC) OUT: Guro Reiten (mf, LSK Kvinner), Lisa-Marie Utland (fw, Røa), Guro Ramstad (fw, Byåsen), Kristin Reistad (df, Byåsen) Vålerenga IN: Elise Krieghoff (fw, Boston Breakers), Teigan Allen (df, Melbourne City), Gunnhildur Jonsdottir (mf, Stabæk), Theresa Nielsen (df, Brøndby), Isabel Bårdsgjære (df, Røa), Stephanie Verdoia (mf, Boston Breakers), Michelle Betos (gk, Portland Thorns) OUT: Maija Saari (df, HJK Helsinki), Kelsey Frances Hood (mf, retiring), Jennie Nordin (df, unknown dest.), Line Johansen (gk, unknown dest.), Camilla Christensen (mf, retiring), Camilla Ose (fw, Kolbotn), Tina De Caigny (df, Anderlecht), Tine Schryvers (mf, Kristianstad DFF), Silje Blakstad (fw, LSK Kvinner)
Wow, this is exciting! Tiff McCarty played for two season in Japanese Nadeshiko League, in Albirex Niigata Ladies, and she was a neat goalscorer and a very nice person! I like to have one more reason to root for Polar Girls.
More friendlies today. Up in the North, a debut goal for "your" girl @blissett, as Medkila kicked off their pre-season match schedule against a local rival. Fløya vs Medkila 0-2 0-1 Alex Quincy 33 0-2 Tiffany McCarty 67 And down at La Manga, some results showing Toppserien could be very tight this year: LSK Kvinner vs Røa 0-1 0-1 Shade Pratt 69 Avaldsnes vs Stabæk 0-0 Sandviken vs Kolbotn 1-0 1-0 Vilde Øyri 84
Medkila's market-campaign had seemed underwhelming so far, but McCarty is the market hit that lifts everything up again! If Tiff remains and stays healthy for all of the season, I have faith that Polar Girls will avoid relegation for the third season in a row. (Glasses are for summer's perennial sun at North Pole)
Norway's squad for Algarve Cup has been announced! One debutant, LSKs Ingrid Spord. There's also an interview with Sjögren in that link; he's been spending time at La Manga, watching the clubs who've been practicing there. Ingrid Hjelmseth Cecilie Fiskerstrand Kristine Nøstmo Maren Mjelde Elise Thorsnes Ingvild Isaksen Anja Sønstevold Kristine Minde Nora Holstad Berge Caroline Graham Hansen Hege Hansen Andrine Stolsmo Hegerberg Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg Ingrid Moe Wold Andrine Tomter Synne Sofie K. Jensen Maria Thorisdottir Lisa-Marie Karlseng Utland Stine Reinås Vilde Bøe Risa Guro Reiten Ingrid Marie Spord Ingrid Schjelderup
NT coach Martin Sjögren has selected his squad for Algarve Cup. Norway play preliminary matches against Iceland (Mar 1), Spain (Mar 3) and Japan (Mar 6). Goalkeepers Ingrid Hjelmseth (Stabæk) Cecilie Fiskerstrand (LSK Kvinner) Kristine Nøstmo (Trondheims-Ørn) Defenders Maren Mjelde (Chelsea) Nora Holstad Berge (Bayern Munich) Stine Reinås (Stabæk) Ingrid Moe Wold (LSK Kvinner) Kristine Minde (Linköping) Andrine Tomter (Avaldsnes) Maria Thorisdottir (Klepp) Midfielders Ingvild Isaksen (Stabæk) Ingrid Spord (LSK Kvinner) Ingrid Schjelderup (Eskilstuna United) Anja Sønstevold (LSK Kvinner) Andrine Hegerberg (Birmingham City) Vilde Bøe Risa (Arna-Bjørnar) Guro Reiten (LSK Kvinner) Forwards Synne Jensen (Stabæk) Ada Hegerberg (Olympique Lyonnais) Lisa-Marie Utland (Røa) Elise Thorsnes (Avaldsnes) Hege Hansen (Klepp) Caroline G. Hansen (Wolfsburg) Since last time: OUT: Josefine Ervik, Amalie Eikeland, Nora Eide Lie, Gunhild Herregården, Tuva Hansen IN: Ingrid Spord, Stine Reinås, Ingrid Schjelderup, Hege Hansen Two more Ingrids. The surprise call-up is Schjelderup. She hasn't been involved much after the World Cup, as I can recall. It will also be interesting to test Stine Reinås against top class opposition. We need a new central defender of high quality. And of course, always good to see Caro on the roster.
It seems we posted the squads almost at the same minute @AndyHE. So what do you think about the selection? Missing a player? What is the ideal starting line-up with the players available?
Well, you put more effort into yours! Missing Haavi, obviously, but I'm guessing she's still not fit/acclimating to a new club across the pond. And ditching Bergen players is obviously dumb and wrong, but the U23 going on at the same time will probably feature Eikeland so Sjögren is likely just feeling charitable! I'm also unsure if Hansen and (especially) Thorisdottir will be matchfit, but assuming they are we could go with something like Code: Fiskerstrand Moe Wold Thorisdottir Holstad Berge Minde Isaksen Mjelde An. Hegerberg Hansen Ada Hegerberg Utland Keeper choice is a bit up in the air, but going with the young up-and-comer! If Thorisdottir is not fit, we could test Reinås or pull Mjelde back and go with Bøe Risa in midfield.
Thorisdottir sure has all the athletic qualities for the centre-back spot, but I wonder if her footwork with the ball has improved after nearly two years on the sideline. She looked a bit uncomfortable with the ball at her feet in 2015 when Pellerud made her a regular starter. Nora Holstad was angry for being benched for her, and I think rightly so. Remember Maria's horror pass vs Belgium pre WC '15? She chose football over handball at a relatively late stage, and I think it shows. But, if she can improve her passing game, we might have a new regular starter for the next years.
Most of the squad looked clueless with the ball at their feet in 2015, though. Sjögren seems to be working on relations and passing, so that'll hopefully help the whole team! Sure, Thorisdottir had a couple of really noticeable howlers but I think you're letting them colour your perception of her a bit too much. Still, yea, being out for two years does raise a bit of a question mark, I guess we'll see what shape she's in! Speaking of Emilie Haavi, she wrote a column today for Women's Soccer Zone's new site where she touches on her injury. Still not fit to kick a ball, hopes to get to do that at the end of february! Site also has a feature on Maren Mjelde and an interview with Martin Sjögren.
A Friday night friendly from the North at Nordlandshallen in Bodø. Medkila vs Trondheims-Ørn 1-1 0-1 Tina Fremo 74 1-1 Tiffany McCarty 86 Margunn Haugenes is Medkila's new coach, btw. She is a former Norway international with 79 caps and Olympic gold from 2000 on her CV among other things. It will be interesting to see what she can do here. She won promotion with Urædd in 2015, but found life in Toppserien hard with that club the following year. Better luck in the North? After several key players left before christmas, the new foreign imports must deliver in order to lift Medkila. So far, so good.