The Norway thread

Discussion in 'Women's International' started by Bauser, Jul 1, 2015.

  1. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    It's four years ago today since I started this thread in the wake of a Norwegian World Cup exit to England. The story now repeated itself albeit one round later in the tournament.

    I'm challenging everyone here to comment on how the Norway team can improve in the near future. Which players can come in and do a better job than those currently in the starting XI?

    I think Martin Sjögren should be praised for trying to transform Norway into a more possession based football team. It's a very ambitious project and will likely take more time than two years, but we should reap the rewards later on. We have already come a long way. Not many would have predicted a World Cup quarter-final after what happened in the summer of 2017. What I didn't like about Sjögren in the World Cup was his match coaching. He didn't trust the bench and stuck by his starting line-up way too long. One factor to Norway's subpar performance against England was key players who weren't 100% fresh when they needed to be. This is Sjögren's responsibility. The lack of squad rotation was a mistake that can't be repeated in future tournaments. I don't buy his explanation that he had to use the same players over and over.

    We do have a huge problem on the full-back positions, both left and right, which is hampering the team a great deal. Kristine Minde and Ingrid Moe Wold were the preferred choices on these positions in the World Cup. Minde isn't really a full-back, more of a winger, but has been put there because of her decent pace and lack of alternatives. She had some torrid moments in the World Cup. Norway must upgrade the status of the full-back. We need specialists in that position in the future. I thought Moe Wold did slightly better than Minde, at least defensively, but she lacks extra pace and that became evident in every game. She was not able to contribute very much in attack. Cecilie Kvamme was available on the bench with considerably more pace, but also untested at international level. I hope she is given the chance in upcoming matches.

    In a possession based team, having fast full-backs who are strong one-vs-one offensively and defensively and able to cover the entire length of the pitch up and down on their side, is completely necessary. Otherwise you might as well try a different system. Central midfielders need to have choices on the ball and if there aren't choices sideways because the fullback isn't able to do her job, we pretty much become a limping team.

    The Maren Mjelde/Maria Thorisdottir partnership in central defence worked better and is worth building on. Thorisdottir almost missed the entire season with her head injury and made a remarkable recovery just in time for the World Cup. I feared her sloppy passing would cost us a few goals, but she reduced those errors to a minimum. Her pace and power is invaluable to Norway's defence. Hat off also to Mjelde for leading the team well.

    Same goes to Vilde Bøe Risa and Ingrid Engen. The new central midfield pair who both made senior tournament debuts in France. With that in mind, they gave five solid performances each to put in the bank. They will grow on this. Hopefully Engen can break into Wolfsburg's starting line-up, which will benefit Norway even more.

    Sjögren asked Guro Reiten specifically before the World Cup to step up her game. She did against Nigeria, but struggled a bit against better opposition. Reiten's defensive workrate isn't her biggest strength and with Minde behind her, Norway's left-hand side was exposed as a weak link time and again by several teams. Reiten made some poor decisions with the ball in key moments against England before the game was lost, which might influence my slightly negative view on her. I think there is more to come from her. She had little or no tournament experience before this World Cup.

    Caroline Graham Hansen looked better with every game in the group stage and peaked with a strong performance against Australia after the injury scare against the Koreans. Unfortunately, she was invisible against England. She is easier to nullify as a forward (which she was vs Eng) than as a winger. Sjögren must be pondering how to get the most out of his brightest diamond when we play against top class teams. Altering formation from 4-4-2 to 4-2-3-1 could be one solution.

    Isabell Herlovsen did what we could demand from her up front. Worked hard off the ball and scored a vital goal against Australia and penalty against South Korea plus two "assists" to both own-goals going in our favour vs Nigeria and France. Lisa Marie Utland showed she is a box player and a nice substitute, but a bit slow footed and not quite the forward to deliver in top matches. She looked quite fresh as a sub against England, but many other players would too if Sjögren had given them a chance. Despite the team's slogan "sterkere sammen" (stronger together), Ada Hegerberg was greatly missed. The debutant Karina Sævik showed promise of more to come. There is a bit of x-factor in her. Great pass to Herlovsen's goal vs Australia. I wouldn't be surprised if she is Toppserien's next export player.

    Ingrid Hjelmseth now retires at 39. I thought she was one of Norway's most consistent players in the tournament and big on penalties. I have high hopes that Cecilie Fiskerstrand can succeed her though.

    And that's about it. The remaining eleven players in the squad played nothing or very little. Norway's next game now is a Euro qualifier away at Northern Ireland (30 Aug) before a home friendly in Bergen against England (3 Sep). What an occasion that could be with good pre-game promotion if England win the World Cup. :geek:
     
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  2. 59Amerinorsk

    59Amerinorsk Member

    Chicago Red Stars
    Norway
    Mar 31, 2017
    Bauser, outstanding analysis. Not much to add.
    * I was very impressed with Norway play at times yet inconsistent play still a problem ; still do not beat teams ranked above them much (play those teams more)
    * Haavi might have made an impact if not injured
    * lack of Norway quality forwards/not enough invited to WWC/No Ada. While I like Herlovsen and Utland, I cannot believe Norway did not bring 1 or 2 more quality forwards to WWC. Agree Caro less effective as a forward. She is a pure delight to watch when moving out of the midfield!
    * Look forward to seeing how the talented youth progress for Norway!
     
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  3. 59Amerinorsk

    59Amerinorsk Member

    Chicago Red Stars
    Norway
    Mar 31, 2017
    sneaking this in as indirectly related to Norway :cool: Sam Kerr got out her frustrations from PK loss to Norway by scoring a hat trick for my CRS this past weekend :D How sweet she is BUT glad she did not score against Norway!
     
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  4. hotjam2

    hotjam2 Member+

    Nov 23, 2012
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    mixed results, Norway did better than their 11th ranking by getting into the quarters, but got to remember the sky was the limit after a couple of 18 year olds named Caro & Ada brought them all the way to the 2013 Euro finals. So weren't we expecting higher expectations?
     
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  5. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    After what happened in 2017? Not really. A strong team needs more working components than two bright attacking stars. Ada and Caro have never featured in a World Cup together.

    WC 2015 - Ada scored three goals. Caro sidelined with a knee-injury along with a string of other key players.
    WC 2019 - Team being rebuilt. Caro played and Ada watched on TV by choice.
    WC 2023 - Ada and Caro will be in their prime age at 28. If the supporting cast is good enough, this could be their year. :cool:
     
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  6. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    #1606 Bauser, Jul 9, 2019
    Last edited: Jul 9, 2019
    Vålerenga will host Manchester United in a friendly in Oslo, July 31. Ticket sales stood at 6000 a few days ago. The goal is to have 10 000 spectators. There will be a number of World Cup players on show for both teams. Man United will have Alex Greenwood and Jackie Groenen, Vålerenga will have Ajara Nchout and Sherida Spitse.

    Transfer news also regarding Vålerenga. Goalkeeper Tinja-Riikka Korpela has moved to Everton and the American Hannah Seabert has signed from Fortuna Hjørring as her replacement.

    -----

    As I was about to post this, TV2 reports Andrine Hegerberg will sign for Real Sociedad.
     
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  7. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    I just found out, NRK will actually cover Norway's U19 Euro matches live! :eek: Completely unthinkable until recently.

    So, it's Norway - Netherlands live on NRK2 at 17.00 on Tuesday. :thumbsup:
     
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  8. Slowpokeking

    Slowpokeking Member

    Jul 18, 2011
    Club:
    Real Madrid
    Ada Hegerberg was not with her team, how sad is that.
     
  9. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
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  10. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    5-0 loss to the Netherlands at the U19 Euros! :oops: What a shocking performance by Norway when you're finally on national TV. Some of the goals conceded would be embarrassing at U12 level.

    Sure, big injury problems on key players before this match, and only five available players on the bench, but that doesn't excuse this performance. They need to bounce back against the Scots now to save the campaign.
     
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  11. L'orange

    L'orange Member+

    Ajax
    Netherlands
    Jul 20, 2017
    They need to find a new goalkeeper, for starters: She gifted the Dutch two goals by fumbling away balls that were in her grasp--or should have been.
     
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  12. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
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  13. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    For a moment I had read Ada Hegerberg. :p
     
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  14. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    Norway struck back and beat hosts Scotland 4-0 in the U19 Euros tonight. Coach Lexerød made four changes to the starting line-up from the shambolic performance against the Dutch. That result will still haunt us though. Norway might be forced to beat France by four clear goals to reach the semi-final if the Netherlands beat Scotland. This is due to the head-to-head system UEFA prefers to total goal difference for all teams.

    -- -- -- -- --

    And another player leaving Toppserien.

    Sandviken right-back Cecilie Redisch Kvamme has signed for West Ham United according to a number of Norwegian sources, but the transfer won't be made public until 1st August. In my opinion Kvamme is Norway's best right-back, energetic and quick-footed, but Sjögren chose Ingrid Moe Wold instead in the World Cup, may be because he gambled on so many other positions.
     
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  15. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    Norway drew 3-3 with France in the last group match at the U19 Euros last night and are out of the competition. They needed a four goal win to progress, but came back three times to earn a draw instead. Always extra disappointing every other year when this is a World Cup qualification, but the performance against the Dutch cost too much. The worst game I've seen from Norway at this age level in years.

    LSK Kvinner have signed winger Emilie Nautnes from Arna-Bjørnar on a two year deal.

    Toppserien starts up again this weekend with one game:

    27 Jul: Vålerenga – Sandviken

    The next full round is 3rd/4th August.
     
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  16. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    Highlights from Norway - France at U19 Euros:



    Emilie Bragstad, who is 188 cm tall, scored our first two. She is eligible for U19 next year too.
     
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  17. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    Emilie Nautnes reputedly turned down an offer from England and decided to sign for LSK Kvinner instead. It could be a smart move to take one step at a time. If she is good enough at LSK, she will get more chances to move abroad later. She is only 20. So far no news on Karina Sævik leaving. That's good for Toppserien. But we need to update the ever growing Norwegians abroad list now:

    AUSTRIA
    Hilde Gunn Olsen (gk, SKN St. Pölten)

    DENMARK
    Laila Himle (df, Fortuna Hjørring)

    ENGLAND
    Maren Mjelde (df/mf, Chelsea)
    Maria Thorisdottir (df, Chelsea)
    Guro Reiten (mf/fw, Chelsea)
    Kristine Leine (df, Reading)
    Cecilie Redisch Kvamme (df, West Ham United)
    Sara Eggesvik (mf, Charlton Athletic)

    FRANCE
    Ada Hegerberg (fw, Lyon)

    GERMANY
    Ingrid Engen (mf, Wolfsburg)
    Kristine Minde (df/mf, Wolfsburg)

    ITALY
    Stine Hovland (df, AC Milan)
    Andrine Hegerberg (mf, Roma)

    SPAIN
    Caroline Hansen (mf/fw, Barcelona)

    SWEDEN
    Vilde Bøe Risa (mf, Kopparbergs Göteborg)
    Lisa Marie Utland (fw, Rosengård)
    Frida Maanum (mf, Linköping)
    June Pedersen (df, Piteå)
    Andrea Norheim (fw, Piteå)
     
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  18. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    TOPPSERIEN 2019

    Vålerenga 1 - 1 Sandviken
    Dowie 68 - Brochmann 50

    Stine Reinås was back for Vålerenga after a year out injured. She came on as a sub. Great goal by Brochmann from long range. She has been one of the main players this season, but not yet selected by Sjögren. Only one rescheduled game this weekend. Full round starts next week. Vålerenga will play Manchester United on Wednesday though. That could be interesting. Bottom club Stabæk have sacked their coach Vanja Stefanovic and replaced her with Ingvild Stensland in a temporary caretaker role.

    toppserien2019_09b.jpg

    TOP SCORERS
    12 - Guro Reiten (LSK Kvinner)
    9 - Synne Jensen (Røa)
    8 - Maria Brochmann (Sandviken)
    8 - Kennya Cordner (Sandviken)
    6 - Karina Sævik (Kolbotn)
    5 - Dejana Stefanovic (Avaldsnes)
    5 - Synne S. Hansen (LSK Kvinner)
    5 - Natasha K. Dowie (Vålerenga)
    4 - Olaug Tvedten (Avaldsnes)
    4 - Tameka Butt (Klepp)
    4 - Isabell Herlovsen (Kolbotn)
    4 - Nora Eide Lie (Kolbotn)
    4 - Elise Thorsnes (LSK Kvinner)

    NEXT MATCHDAY
    03 Aug: Kolbotn – Trondheims-Ørn
    03 Aug: Fart – Stabæk
    03 Aug: LSK Kvinner – Klepp
    03 Aug: Avaldsnes – Arna Bjørnar
    04 Aug: Sandviken – Lyn
    04 Aug: Røa – Vålerenga
     
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  19. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    Had someone fallen into a deep sleep a few years ago and woken up today, he would believe that the rankings have been reversed: Stabæk and Avaldsnes at the bottom of the chart! o_O

    While following the World Cup, I've been said that she's now called Tameka Yallop! :laugh:;)
     
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  20. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    Yes, I know. :D I think she married after the Norwegian season started, and scored her first goal as Butt, so it remained that way. I will change it to Yallop from the next full matchday.
     
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  21. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    Tomorrow we have five matches in the third round of the NM Cup. Fløya, Grand Bodø and Medkila are flying the flag for the polar circle region against top division opposition. Can anyone upset the odds? :cool:

    Trondheims-Ørn – Fløya (L2)
    Kolbotn – Grand Bodø (L2)
    LSK Kvinner – Amazon Grimstad (L2)
    Arna Bjørnar – Stabæk
    Medkila (L2) – Røa

    The remaining three matches of that round are played later:

    01 Aug: Sandviken – Grei (L2)
    07 Aug: Avaldsnes – Klepp
    07 Aug: Fortuna Ålesund (L3) – Vålerenga

    - o - o - o - o -

    A bunch of Norwegians have changed clubs this summer. Many of them to a first foreign pro club. Here some of them are posing in their new gear.

    montage_reiten.jpg
     
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  22. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    Vålerenga beat Manchester United 4-1 tonight in front of 7124 spectators in Oslo. Ajara Njoya scored a hat-trick. Jenna Dear also scored for the home team. United's goal was scored by Jess Sigsworth.

    - o - o - o - o - o - o -

    Five matches in the third round of the NM Cup today:

    Trondheims-Ørn 3-2 Fløya (L2)
    Sørum 3, 16, Bragstad 90+2 - Nergård 20, 41

    Kolbotn 11-0 Grand Bodø (L2)
    Hegg 7, 33, Elvebakken 13, Klæboe 16, Sævik 21, Eide Lie 29, Herlovsen 66, 70, 78, 81, 85

    LSK Kvinner 4-0 Amazon Grimstad (L2)
    Abrahamsen 34, Skinnes Hansen 48, Thorsnes 76(p), Åsland 86

    Arna Bjørnar 3-2 aet Stabæk
    Risnes 15, 74, Haugland 108 - Loennecken 79, Omarsdottir 90

    Medkila (L2) 0-3 Røa
    Holum 57, 72, de Courcy 80
     
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  23. blissett

    blissett Member+

    Aug 20, 2011
    Italy
    Club:
    --other--
    Nat'l Team:
    --other--
    She's the Cameroonian girl that at the World Cup used to be called Ajara Nchout, isn't she?
     
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  24. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    Yes. Ajara Nchout Njoya is her full name.
     
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  25. Bauser

    Bauser Member+

    Dec 23, 2000
    Norway
    Club:
    Fredrikstad FK
    Forgot to mention earlier...

    Caro Hansen and Ada Hegerberg were two of twelve players nominated to FIFA's World Player of the Year today. Norwegian woso should be proud to have two individuals of their quality active at the same time. Nowadays with the women's game more global than ever, we can not take this for granted. There is a bunch of top nations without a single player on the list.

    I pretty much expected Ada on the list despite a no-show in the World Cup, the CL-final hat-trick sealed it, but the inclusion of Caro was extra pleasing. It's long overdue.

    She led the Bundesliga with 33 goal points (8 goals+25 assists) in 22 games (unacceptable that this stat is not mentioned on her profile on the FIFA voting site), won the double at Wolfsburg, performed well in the World Cup and of course had a high profile transfer to Barcelona. Her best is yet to come, I believe.

    THE CANDIDATES:
    Lucy Bronze
    Julie Ertz
    Caroline Hansen
    Ada Hegerberg

    Amandine Henry
    Sam Kerr
    Rose Lavelle
    Vivianne Miedema
    Alex Morgan
    Megan Rapinoe
    Wendie Renard
    Ellen White

    But this will be Rapinoe's year, I suppose.
     
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