Thanks Redcard for taking the time to reply to my rant! I will gather my thoughts and look forward to the Olympics and have hope for and confidence in, once again, the talented Norwegian WNT! I realize since I have high expectations for them, it sucks that much more when they lose..........
Well, they're not entirely consistant and I think that's what drives me crazy. Losing 4-0 to the U.S. in the Algarve, then coming back and beating Germany, 2-0. It makes no sense. That's why I chalk up our losses to the U.S. as them having some sort of mental block. They haven't beaten them now in 10 matches ... And Bjarne has never beaten them as Norway's coach. So, I imagine there's some additional pressure there.
They're playing in Sandefjord and, since this friendly is part of both Norway's and Sweden's pre-Olympic training camps, I have no doubt that they will be using the full squads. Since the leagues are now on summer breaks, there's no question of players not being released from club commitments.
Norge - Sverige 0-2 (0-1) Stadion: Komplett.no Arena, Sandefjord. Tilskuere: 724. Dommer: Rhona Daly, Irland. Gult kort: Ingen. Mål: 0-1 Lotta Schelin (26.min). 0-2 Jessica Landström (90.min) Norges lag (4-3-3): Christine Colombo Nilsen - Trine Rønning, Marit Fiane Christensen, Ane Stangeland Horpestad, Gunnhild Følstad - Marie Knutsen, Ingvild Stensland, Lene Storløkken (Elise Thorsnes 72.min) - Leni Larsen Kaurin, Solveig Gulbrandsen, Melissa Wiik (Guro Knutsen 81.min).
They are playing Germany today, starting in about 15 minutes. And they're playing them in Sandefjord again, as this was a training camp for Norway, Germany and Sweden. No word on any online viewing options, but I know they're broadcasting it in Norway on either NRK1 or NRK2.
Damn them! They're doing a livestream and I only just found out! http://www1.nrk.no/nett-tv/sport/spill/verdi/65969
you can go to www.bwin.com to at least watch the clock and see the score (NOR-GER 1-0) at this point early in second half (knock on wood!)
http://www.fotball.no/t1.aspx?p=51831&x=1&a=230771 Kampfakta: NORGE - TYSKLAND 2-0 (1-0) Stadion: Komplett.no Arena, Sandefjord. Tilskuere: ca 900. Dommer: Eva Ödlund, Sverige. Gult kort: Ingen. Mål: 1-0 Marie Knutsen (42.min). 2-0 Guro Knutsen (74.min). Norges lag (4-3-3): Erika Skarbø - Trine Rønning (Marita Skammelsrud Lund 61.min), Siri Norby, Ane Stangeland Horpestad, Gunnhild Følstad - Marie Knutsen (Runa Vikestad 90.min), Ingvild Stensland, Lene Storløkken (Lene Mykjåland 58.min) - Leni Larsen Kaurin (Elise Thorsnes 58.min), Solveig Gulbrandsen (Isabell Herlovsen 71.min), Melissa Wiik (Guro Knutsen 58.min). Does anyone have a Germany roster?
But of course: Die deutsche Aufstellung: Angerer – Stegemann (46. Peter), Krahn (64. Bartusiak), Hingst, Bresonik - Laudehr, Lingor (46. Okoyino da Mbabi), Garefrekes (73. Pohlers), Prinz, Behringer (62. Bajramaj) – Smisek (46. Mittag)
NRK blocked the Web cast from all non-Norway IP addresses, saying they didn't have the rights to broadcast it outside of Norway ... So unfortunately, I didn't get to watch it. From what I've been told about the match, Norway looked pretty good and Germany looked sloppy at times.
Video interviews with several squad members: http://www.fotball.no/webtv.asp?All=1&p=72550&progId=254151
That's exactly what the highlight reel looks like. Also, Prinz looked liked she was barely jogging to the ball at times - I would guess they did not want to risk injury.
Norway left today for the Olympics. Their opening match will be Aug. 6 against the U.S., followed by matches on Aug. 9 against New Zealand and then on Aug. 12 against Japan.
Also, starting a new OLY thread in the Group G forum: Norway OLY News & Discussion [R] I'll be moving any A-team news and what not there until after the games.
This article's about a week old, but I found it interesting: Høgmo will have/wants more full-time players Top football manager and former national team coach Per-Mathias Høgmo wants to give the new professional league in the U.S. a hearty welcome. -- We want to keep girls in football until they are 30, at least. The better the framework, the easier it becomes, and a professional league will be an important contribution in this respect, says Høgmo. For national development, it will, according to Høgmo, be essential that the best players be at the top level. -- Not to belittle the Toppserien, but it does not represent the highest level. It will most likely be the U.S. league if the Americans do succeed, says Høgmo. The top football chief envisions a professional women’s league in Norway in the foreseeable future. -- We are near. The economy is better, the framework is better, and a crucial step, I believe, must be taken with co-operation between the women’s and men’s clubs. == I didn't clean this up as much as I probably should have, but I think it works.
Redcard, got a question for ya. Your translation infers that the Toppserien is not a professional league. Does this mean the players don't get paid? I assumed it was professional and they did get paid but it was only a small amount and thus the reason most players have "real" jobs in addition to playing for their club teams. But I'm all for the NWNT encouraging their players to come to the US professional league when/if it gets formed. Any chance to see some of my favorites play in person without having to travel halfway across the world is a plus to me.