I have to say that the USA's effort against Norway had to be a wake-up call. This Norwegian side is the real deal, and there is no question, there is a sense of urgency to bounce back against Japan and New Zealand. Any USA WNT supporters want to comment on this? Norway, NZ and Japan supporters are welcome to also do so. Keep it clean, as always.
Re: [R] A rude awakening for the USA? Doesn't this thread title suggest a result? Just going by the guidelines thread. Not meaning to be an ass. But yes, it is a rude awakening. However the USA can (and I believe will) bounce back. As pointed out in the USA forum...USA beat Norway in 2000, but they bounced back to beat us and win gold. USA can do the same this time around.
Re: [R] A rude awakening for the USA? Yes, it does and I was going to say something, too. I would like to have had a game w/o Abby b/f the Olys started but maybe it is out of their system. They were shell shocked after the first 6min and unable to find composure.
Re: [R] A rude awakening for the USA? Thread edited. You cannot just slap an [R] on a title that implies a match result in the thread title.
thanks redcard. So, moving forward, I'd say that Norway is less likely to be "hungover" from their win today and slip up vs NZ than if they were to play Japan next. Perhaps I underestimate NZ, though. (the Aussies are the Matildas, what are the NZs?)
wow. so, where does the whole Fern thing come from? I get the "all-blacks" and the "all-whites" of the rugby&soccer teams for the men. Why not just go with that for the women? Love the "small whites" for the juniors thanks.
I feel like a failed Wikipedia peddler... But here you go- The ferns, as seen on their shirts; http://www.crwflags.com/fotw/flags/nz_fern.html#fern
I wasn`t to impressed with Norway today sure they had 2 quick goals but they mostly came from mistakes by the US. Oter then that the team had a few almost chances but seem to mess up at some crucial points. Defensively it was better the team seem to control the US most of the time. But the goalie seem shaky and i think that has to worry the defenders. Also no one els think that the referee quality in this tournament has been appalling ? Okey the ref in the Norway-US games wasn`t to shabby but after seeing some of the oter games. I most say there have been some really strange decisons. I just hope the refs won`T decied who will be champion.
Compared to the other two possibilities for GKs, Skarbo is leaps and bounds better. Hjelmseth really blew it in the U.S. Algarve Cup game, making some truly hideous mistakes the U.S. pounced on. Colombo Nilsen is a very good keeper as well, but she's not quite as sharp as Skarbo and has been prone to knee injuries the past few years. So, Skarbo it is. She did have some good saves, especially the one in stoppage time. It was very Bente Nordby, circa 2000 OLY, esque. Fun fact: Reidun Seth, the Norwegian GK prior to Bente Nordby, is Skarbo's club keeper coach. No, Norway didn't look stellar when compared to a WWC Germany or Brazil, but compared to the past few showings, they looked pretty good. They still have some kinks to work out before I believe they'll be a real threat in the KO rounds, BUT I'm impressed they did capitalize on the US mistakes and were able to get some good runs going. Instead of sitting back and trying to defend for the rest of the match, they kept attacking, kept putting together some counters. Not at all like the Norway I've seen the past few serious (non-Euro qualis) matches I've seen them in. But really, them FINALLY beating the U.S. for the first time in 10 matches will give them a much needed boost of confidence I think they've lacked for a while now.
I found Skarbø to be rather solid in general, but her goal kicks left a bit room for improvement. Overall Norway played it pretty smart, a year ago I don't think they would have kept the lead in that impressive manner. Very good counter attacking, as they're known for, but with this team they can actually move forward quickly by passing on the ground. Gulbrandsen back in the mix and Kaurin as well as Wiik played a great game. Asker has to be really proud these days...
hmm i admit my knowlege of female soccer is limited i mostly only see the larger tournements like EC WC and Olympics. And yes i ws happy about the win but i don`t think the team is anything more then a outsider for a medal.
Well, finally Norway scored first against the USA and then held on and won! This victory was long overdue! I think in the 10 straight losses to USA, the USA scored first! Although one of the goals was off a back pass mistake, many int'l goals in general generate off mistakes! Also, USA has scored many goals recently off Norwegian mistakes. Anyway, it is great to see them beat USA after 10 losses! I am USA fan too so I hope for a NOR-USA rematch! I like the 4-3-3 formation - it creates more exciting soccer - my only complaint with them (and with USA) were too many errant (sp?)passes. GO Norway!
Wow, just wow. I guess the USA hasn't learnt from their World Cup exit, they thought all it took was the sacking of Greg Ryan and they've done their job. I'm amazed....... just simply amazed.
From what I saw of the game (which was mostly highlights) I think the US just didn't really know how to play without Abby Wambach. Their rude wake up call (if you are a US fan, 2 goals in 2 minutes is rude!) might be just what they need to play better. I really thought that Norway was playing on pace to score 10+ goals without much problem. The fact that the US was able to come back and limit them to the initial 2 goals may prove to be the kind of inspiration they need. We will know more after Norway plays New Zealand and the US plays Japan...
Re: [R] A rude awakening for the USA? So, since the (R) was not edited out: 2:0 Norway over USA So, yes, it was a bizarre match. It seemed, to me anyhow, that Hope may have been more to blame for one of them, and a whole bunch of folks for the other. I am rather glad we didn't switch after going 2:0 though. That would have just made it worse. Sluggish, bad passing, lack of awareness. Horrible start, but hopefully everything will be pointed out methodically and we carry on. The air and weather sucks for everybody, not just us.
Oh I think Norway is heavy favorite for a medal now. The win against the USA was huge because the winner of this group plays a 3rd-place team in the quarter-finals, while the second-place finisher plays Germany or Brasil. And once you're in the semis, a medal is likely.
But they haven't won the group yet. Their pre-olympic performances has been somewhat erratic, twice defeating Germany but suffering multiple goal defeats to USA (twice) and Sweden (twice) and a 2-1 loss to England. And even if they win the group, which I admit is likelier that USA doing it, the possible 3rd place teams they might be up against include Canada, North Korea and Sweden.