I'm going to go way out on a limb and predict that Norway will somehow find a way to defeat co-host New Zealand in game 1 of VM 2023. The actual prediction I made on the FIFA site was Norway winning 4-0. Ada Hegerberg is poised to have a big tournament and I think she'll get off to a great start scoring at least two goals! Heia Norge!
A post-World Cup evaluation of Norway's performance is due to be published on Monday. May be also the future of Hege Riise will be sorted out. I assume there will be a press conference. Well, back to bread and butter. Toppserien starts up again this weekend. Here is an update on the transfer activity this summer: ARNA-BJØRNAR IN: - OUT: Tomine Svendheim (Brann), Lena Soleng Hansen (Stabæk), Helene Gloppen (Åsane) AVALDSNES IN: Lotta Jansen (Staal Jørpeland) OUT:Cille Nilsen (Rosenborg), Kelsey Daugherty, Maya Ladhani (ETO FC Győr), Emma Endresen (Stabæk) BRANN IN: Tomine Svendheim (Arna-Bjørnar), Amalie Eikeland (Reading), Joanna Tynnilä (HJK), Johanna Renmark (Uppsala), Justine Kielland (Stabæk) OUT: Mathilde Sangolt (Åsane), Tameka Yallop (contract expired), Amanda Frisbie (contract terminated), Ida Holm Neset (Viking), Alyssa Walker (HB Køge) LSK KVINNER IN: - OUT: Mimmi Löfwenius (Vålerenga) LYN IN: Kirvil Odden Sundsfjord (Sampdoria), Joshualyn Reeves (Øvrevoll Hosle) OUT: Monica Nedgård Isaksen (Stabæk) ROSENBORG IN: Cille Nilsen (Avaldsnes), Camilla Linberg (Como) OUT: Synne Skinnes Hansen (Bayer Leverkusen) RØA IN: Kaja Brendengen Rosenlund (Kongsvinger), Maiken Bjørndalen (Hønefoss) OUT: Vårin Vik (Øvrevoll Hosle), Birgitte Bjørlykhaug (Grei) STABÆK IN: Monica Nedgård Isaksen (Lyn), Lena Soleng Hansen (Arna-Bjørnar), Emma Endresen (Avaldsnes), Fanny Lång (Inter Milan), Mathilde Kruse (AGF) OUT: Selma Pettersen (Vålerenga), Smilla Vallotto (Hammarby), Justine Kielland (Brann) VÅLERENGA IN: Selma Pettersen (Stabæk), Michaela Kovacs (KIF Örebro), Mimmi Löfwenius (LSK Kvinner) OUT: Emma Iversen (Øvrevoll Hosle), Andrine Tomter (Inter Milan), Stine Ballisager Pedersen (Kansas City Current), Agnete Nielsen (Brøndby) ÅSANE INN: Mathilde Sangolt (Brann), Helene Gloppen (Arna-Bjørnar) OUT: -
Apparently not today. I guess they wanted to sell some tickets for the upcoming NL matches and show their support for the Spanish team before releasing it. :taps foot inpatiently:
Press conference was postponed again. No new date announced so far. Some media outlets are uncovering tonight that roughly half the players in the World Cup squad are pondering retirement from the national team if the current leadership (Riise/Knudsen/Stensland) remains. Caro Hansen is in that group. No other names mentioned.
I bet letting Riise co-lead the report isn't seeming like such a good idea now. Although I am a bit baffled by how many folks are taking the side of the coaches and acting as if the players are just spoiled. I understand janteloven is probably a complex societal concept for an outsider, but is that where many of these comments and attitudes are coming from? Do you think Riise and Co. would offer their resignations if the players actually walked? Would the NFF step in if they didn't? For the curious (apologies for google translate): Nettavisen learns: Half of the players in the WC squad consider their future in the national team TV 2 learns: Dissatisfaction with Monica Knudsen VG LEARNS: Several players are dissatisfied with the national team management's communication
The NM Cup quarterfinals were played last night: Åsane 0 – 3 Lyn Palm 29, Hernes 50, Melgård 84 LSK Kvinner 3 – 1 Brann Woldvik 44(p), Godø 49, Ivanovic 56 --- Brochmann 84 Stabæk 3 – 4 Rosenborg (a.e.t) Loennecken 37, Omarsdottir 106, Rasmussen 119 --- Hørte 90+3, Nautnes 95, Andreassen 103(p), Linberg 120+2 Vålerenga 2 – 0 Røa Kovacs 74, Sævik 77 The semifinal draw is made. Both matches to be played 30 September: Rosenborg – LSK Kvinner Vålerenga – Lyn
I don’t think the law of jante has anything to do with this. Based on the few opinions coming from players so far, it seems those based in Toppserien are quite satisfied with the current leadership, and those based abroad are not. I suppose it has much to do with the level of professionalism the foreign based players are used to in their clubs, is not met by Riise and her staff. Lise Klaveness is Caroline Graham Hansen’s biggest fan. If Caro threatens to quit (she stayed put and supported Sjögren through thick and thin, remember?), then Klaveness has to act. There is no way she will let Caro walk out. From what we know now, I suppose Hege Riise will not be coaching Norway by the time the Nations League starts.
What about the level of professionalism that domestic players are used to in their Toppserien clubs? This was super weird, I never understood why she supported him so much even after the England debacle.
Sorry. I meant the public in general and why so many are quick to blame the players and not the coaching staff. I get the divide the between Norway-Int'l clubs, even though that's pretty sad in and of itself. I just remember janteloven (and ceiling height) came up in articles quit a bit when things were falling apart during the WC, especially after Caro spoke out. One thing I will say about Sjogren (ugh) is that while he was not a good coach, I don't remember any sort of accusations of him being unprofessional or a tyrant or any of that. In fact, I'm still surprised there wasn't more feedback from the players after the England debacle and after his release. Maybe they were just happy he wasn't a part of NFF's system? I seem to remember some players saying they didn't want someone from inside the fed coaching them? Is the falloff in quality really that bad?
Football president Lise Klaveness defends assistant coach Monica Knudsen after TV 2's case about internal dissatisfaction Someone pointed out on a Kvinnefotballmagasinet post that complaints about Knudsen have surfaced before, this time from Isabell Herlovsen in 2014 when she played for Valeranga.
Was she sacked or did she resign? I'm seeing mixed messages. She will be moved to a role within the NFF.
She was sacked by Klaveness after a longer evaluation, but Riise remains in NFF in another office job. Riise said a few minutes ago on the press conference, that she was surprised by the headlines in the media of many players not having faith in her.
You can bet there was a split between who were ok with her and those who were not. The same happened with Corinne Diacre for France.
Wait, so was that the report? Hege's out? Or are they still working on the report? At least it didn't take them 5 years and a contract extension to determine she wasn't working out.
Some of the major sports columnists weigh in on the Riise case: Jan Petter Saltvedt, NRK: Lise’s first defeat Leif Welhaven, VG: Embarrassing failure, worthy farewell
I assume that Knudsen and Stensland are out, too. I always liked watching Stensland as a player - pure grace in the midfield.
An interim coach will be appointed asap, that was underlined on the press conference today. He (or she) will likely be Norwegian, someone from inside the circles of NFF. Nations League starts in three weeks, so the squad must be announced within ten days or so. But yes, the long term coach is likely an experienced foreigner this time. But Vlatko? I doubt it.
One of the articles suggest Pia Sundhage. That may depending on what the Norwegian WNT need be a good choice or not. Pia have strong and weak points: Unite the team to one unit. Do not think there are any better Stand up against the FA or media. Few are better Develop players and plans. About average for a top level coach. Coach the team during the match and modify plans during it. Not her strong side, IOW there are worse but not many that coach at her level.