It appears you might be right The Equalizer mentions the tournament but are saying it may be Canada instead of Norway. Perhaps Norway was invited but due to Covid-19 concerns, declined? Or maybe Norway will play in a mini tourney in Europe then (or Belarus or F.I. as you pointed out).
Yes, I am sorry that I shared here the Brazilian source that appears more and more as it was wrong : A source with knowledge of the situation says that Norway is NOT part of the 2021 SheBelieves Cup plans, contrary to that recent report from Globo. Instead, Canada is expected to be the fourth team.So, #USWNT, Brazil, Japan & Canada in February, assuming it happens.— Jeff Kassouf (@JeffKassouf) December 30, 2020
Dagbladet ranked the top 40 in the Toppserien, I don't have a subscription for their premium content but am majorly impressed it was the lead story tonight on their sports page: https://www.dagbladet.no/sport/karing-de-40-beste-i-toppserien/73171064 All too often when I peruse Aftenposten, Verdens Gang or Dagbladet I can go through the front page of the football section of 40-50+ stories without a single women's article. Great start to the year.
Dagbladet is the worst tabloid paper in Norway, so I'm surprised they even bothered to make a top 40 ranking. I'm not going to pay to read it. UEFA published their annual 10 youngsters to watch 2021. Julie Blakstad (Rosenborg) made the list just like her club mate Emilie Bragstad did last year.
It was a chaotic year with leagues up and down, but their picks from last year didn't really knock the roof off. Bragstad was one of the few who did. Of their picks this year Oberdorf and Navarro are very high quality players and could/should have made the list last year. The writer who did the Top 40 in the Toppserien also did a ranking of men's and women's national team coaches: https://www.dagbladet.no/sport/fotball-karing-norges-beste-landslagstrenere/73139339 Top and bottom of that list on the women's side are pretty easy, then it gets a bit muddled.
Aftenposten with 50 stories on their football front page today, all men's. Verdens Gang with 40, all men's. Dagbladet with about 50, including three women's articles and all in the top 10 on the page. The top story is still on the women's game although the Top 40 players has been pushed off the top by Alex Morgan getting covid. There's also a new piece on Marta and her partner. I seem to remember there was an organized movement afoot to bring the press inline to the women's game a few years ago but it obviously fizzled out. Kudos to Dagbladet for the start to the year and really hope the others get the memo and catch up. Norway was one of the first to take the women's game seriously, if the press did that the skies the limit.
January is here and a new transfer update as clubs get ready for the long pre-season training. Arna Bjørnar IN: Milena Kokosz (fw, Åsane), Kamilla Aabel (df, Røa), Miljana Ivanovic (fw, ZFK Mašinac Niš), Gudbjörg Gunnarsdottir (gk, Djurgården), Mia Jalkerud (fw, Djurgården) OUT: Pia Rijsdijk (fw, Napoli), Augustine Siliki (df, FC d’Ebolowa), Teagan Micah (gk, Melbourne City) Avaldsnes IN: Giovanna de Oliveira (fw, Santos), Rebecka Holum (fw, Røa), Jenny Olsen (fw, Lyn) OUT: Katrina Gorry (mf, Brisbane Roar), Elise Thorsnes (fw, Vålerenga), Rash Ajibade (fw, Atletico Madrid), Ylinn Tennebø (mf, Vålerenga), Maria Min Xiu Sørenes (mf, Medkila), Julia Molin (df, Glasgow City) Klepp IN: Kathrine Larsen (gk, Djurgården) OUT: Marthine Østenstad (df, Sandviken), Tuva Hansen (df, Sandviken), Elisabeth Terland (mf/fw, Sandviken), Nicole Stanton (mf, back to USA), Matilde Rogde (fw, Rosenborg), Isabella Hayes (fw, pregnant), Hege Hansen (fw, pregnant) Kolbotn IN: Vilde Birkeli (mf, Røa), Ingrid Kvernvolden (fw, Røa), Marit Clausen (fw, Rosenborg) OUT: Nikola Orgill (df, Western Sydney Wanderers), Marit Bratberg Lund (df, Sandviken), Maja Nordahl (df, Lyn) LSK Kvinner IN: Mimmi Löfwenius (fw, Lyn), Camilla Linberg (fw, Lyn) OUT: Silje Kittilsen (mf, Fart), Cathrine Dekkerhus (mf, unknown dest.) Lyn IN: Maja Nordahl (df, Kolbotn) OUT: Mimmi Löfwenius (fw, LSK Kvinner), Camilla Linberg (fw, LSK Kvinner), Mariana Larroquette (fw, Kansas City), Trine S. Jensen (df, unknown dest.), Jenny Olsen (fw, Avaldsnes) Rosenborg IN: Matilde Rogde (fw, Klepp) OUT: Rakel Engesvik (mf, Sandviken), Marit Clausen (fw, Kolbotn) Sandviken IN: Marthine Østenstad (df, Klepp), Tuva Hansen (df, Klepp), Elisabeth Terland (mf/fw, Klepp), Rakel Engesvik (mf, Rosenborg), Marit Bratberg Lund (df, Kolbotn) OUT: Nora Gjøen (gk, unknown dest.) Stabæk IN: Linn Huseby (mf, Røa) OUT: Vålerenga IN: Camilla Huseby (df, Djurgården), Elise Thorsnes (fw, Avaldsnes), Amanda Andradottir (mf/fw, Nordsjælland), Ylinn Tennebø (mf, Avaldsnes) OUT: Sherida Spitse (mf, Ajax), Maruschka Waldus (df, Adelaide City), Mia Huse (mf, Røa), Ajara Njoya (fw, Atletico Madrid), Kine Fløtre (mf, abroad) - Arna Bjørnar are looking strong in this transfer window. They’ve just signed a double act from Damallsvenskan. Veteran Icelandic goalkeeper Gudbjörg Gunnarsdottir and Mia Jalkerud. The latter can be that goal poacher A-B desperately need after only scoring 13 goals last season in Toppserien. Jalkerud has been one of the best strikers in Damallsvenskan in recent years. A-B have also signed another striker, 20 year-old Miljana Ivanovic, who is a Serbian international, plus they get back the highly rated teenage forward Madelen Holme, who missed last season through ACL injury. - Atletico Madrid are signing up two Toppserien Africans. Rash Ajibade from Avaldsnes and Ajara Njoya from Vålerenga. Wonder if both of them will make the starting line-up in Spain. Ajibade kan also feature in midfield. - Avaldsnes have lost their hard-working midfielder Ylinn Tennebø to Vålerenga, but have signed Jenny Olsen from Lyn to replace Elise Thorsnes. Olsen has been out for a year with injury, but is promising and the same type of player as Thorsnes. - Lyn have managed to keep Runa Lillegård for 2021, at least for the start of the season. I never thought they would. They have also signed Kolbotn’s centre-back captain, Maja Nordahl, who wasn’t offered a new contract at her former club. Lyn don’t look like cannon fodder next season, the way at least I thought at the same stage last year. - Klepp have signed a Danish international goalkeeper Kathrine Larsen, which is pretty much the only good news in this transfer window for them. Will Tameka Yallop (or Butt) return from Australia? Nobody knows. Right now, Klepp look like relegation material. - Rosenborg have been very quiet so far, but they need a new striker after Marit Clausen left.
Interesting comeback for Jalkerud who didn't play at all in 2020 as her baby twins wouldn't let her sleep enough
Yeah, I read an article about this couple. I first thought Jalkerud was the one giving birth, and that was the reason she missed last season, but instead it was Gunnarsdottir. Arna Bjørnar apparently offered the best total package where the twins will be taken care of, so also Jalkerud can concentrate fully on football. Both players have signed two year deals.
Arna Bjørnar quick out of the gate. I like their style, hopefully it means they have a solid plan and are willing to back it. With Sandviken loading up too, Avaldsnes will have to pony up or they might be eating dust in the western derbies. Not so sure about Lyn, they lost some quality players. If they don't replace them with like they could be in a precarious position. Right now they're in a significant deficit. Curious why the exodus from Djurgården? That's four into the Toppserien next season already and it's barely New Years. Curious if Lillestrøm gives new coach Knut Slatleim anything else other than the incoming pair of Lyn strikers. They will no doubt make them better but will it be enough to leapfrog Rosenborg and Vålerenga? Guess that depends on what they each do in the next couple months. Wonder if it will be an ongoing arms race or last-minute moves at the wire so there can be no trump played after? One things for sure, given the more competitive nature of the league and the medals at the top means the silly season stickhandling and gymnastics is a lot more important than in the past.
Just normal transfer window activity I think. My impression is that Djurgården were only disappointed to lose Olivia Schough who will be joining Rosengård. There won't be any more players leaving and they are only looking for 2-3 players to fill their squad. Larsen and Huseby played a lot but weren't very impressive so I doubt they worked hard to keep them. Gunnarsdottir and Jalkerud were barely part of the team last season but them leaving must hurt for the fans as they are two Djurgården icons. Sounds like they got a deal at Arna-Bjørnar that worked better for the whole family.
And Aftenposten and VG who share content come to the table. Three women's pieces onto the top half of the football section: First about Vålerenga not being allowed to use new signings like Elise Thorsnes for the Champions league round of 16 because of the February 25 date being used as the cutoff. They feel hard done by because of the months-long delay due to Brondby's coronavirus positives, and also because the Toppserien season runs Spring-Fall and contracts terminate at the end of the year (as opposed to most Fall-Summer leagues). So Spitse and Njoya are out, and Waldus and Huse are already gone. The situation is quite unique and it will be interesting to see if UEFA budges or gives any quarter. https://www.aftenposten.no/sport/fo...ktes-aa-bruke-nye-spillere-i-champions-league The second is about Rosenborg increasing their payroll by several million kroner, including making Mali Næss their third full-time professional. That's a hefty upspend and no doubt Vålerenga and LSK are listening. https://www.aftenposten.no/sport/fo...i-10-aar-naa-blir-rbk-kapteinen-endelig-helpr The final is on Caroline Graham Hansen and Barcelona playing the local derby against Espanyol at Nou Camp for the first time in 50 years in front of almost 100,000 empty seats. In 1970 the women had 60,000 spectators although they were not allowed to wear the club's colours or use their name. That stadium is as much a shrine or temple as any in the world, watching a game there at night it's almost impossible to put into words the powerful feeling when you look upwards. I know she grew up near Ullevaal, but that is her stage and exactly where she deserves to be. https://www.aftenposten.no/sport/fo...oer-byderby-paa-camp-nou-det-blir-en-stor-dag Kudos to all the press and journalists and everyone involved in promoting the women's game.
All clubs in Toppserien and the second league sent a common letter to NFF today about the disappointment of being left out in the negotiations of the new television deal. In Norwegian here I ran the full letter through Google translate as well and it came out fine after a few adjustments: Provocation and frustration - new media agreement for the period 2023-2029 Football is the country's largest sport for girls and women, with over 110,000 active members. We are growing. Women's and girls' football represents 30% of all active people organized through the NFF. We also represent an important value in Norway, equality and the desire to have a society where both women and men, girls and boys, can participate on an equal footing and on equal terms. Just to state the facts; The negotiations - and the process leading to an agreement with TV2 as a new rights partner are perceived by all clubs in the Toppserien and the second league women as a provocation. The reasons for the process, which was decided to take place without Toppfotball Kvinner on behalf of the clubs, and the lack of answers to key questions, create frustration and anger among all of us who now sign this open letter to NFF's federal board. The self-ruling that the federal board includes in its post in VG on December 29 is too flimsy and also comes too late. Nor does it provide an answer to what the federal board envisages doing to restore trust. On top of this, it is felt that the post is an attempt to create a split between the width / circles and the top clubs on the women's side, which we are very surprised at. Lack of involvement This is not the first time that negotiations on media rights have caused unrest. The unrest has arisen several times as a result of disorderly processes. We expected that NFF and Fotball Media had now learned from previous experiences in this area, and understood that the agreement will form the basis for further efforts to develop both top sports, talent development and the breadth of Norwegian football. Then the representative of the top clubs on the women's side, Toppfotball Kvinner, must also sit at the negotiating table. There has never been any doubt that representatives from the Eliteserien (men’s league) and OBOS (Norwegian Top Football - NTF) should be represented in the negotiations on major agreements that affect these - and have a large share of the revenues. There have been tough negotiations, but the conclusion has been that NTF has received ever-increasing income from the sale of the TV rights. We do not argue against this, but now was the time to involve Toppfotball Kvinner, since women's football was also to be a central part of the new agreement. It was not done. The potential of women's football The top clubs on the women's side currently receive about three percent of NFF's billion budget. This is a result of political decisions made over many years. The income is basically owned by NFF and football has itself decided the distribution model, both via distribution keys, entered into cooperation agreements and through annual congress. Has this been sufficient to manage the potential in Norwegian women's football? Has this been sufficient to create equal opportunities and gender balance in football? Obviously not. The top clubs not only work with top football, but also take a large and expanded responsibility for player development in their regions. The clubs and TFK have made a formidable effort to increase the value of the product in recent years. Therefore, the expectations for the new media agreement were high. The development internationally is explosive, and the interest in women's football in Norway is also growing strongly. NFF has, in collaboration with NTF and Fotball Media, signed an agreement which in isolation is not good enough to give the promise that women's football in Norway needs. It has many consequences. The clubs work every single day to offer our players an increased opportunity to become professionals. We are on the right track, but are still nowhere near offering our players what is required. Norwegian football is about to give away a unique opportunity to be among the world's best nations on the women's side. Furthermore, the handling of the process around the new media agreement has consequences for NFF's reputation in society. NFF is not in step with the rest of society in this matter. Modern Norway consists, among other things, of companies that are proactive in gender equality, and which expect their partners to work actively with sustainable development in all areas. There, the NFF itself has failed in this case. The sponsors give a clear message. So do other social actors. Uphill Norwegian women's football has for a number of years worked uphill, also against attitudes in NFF's central administration and the Federal Board. Only when Toppfotball Kvinner (TFK) themselves were given responsibility for negotiating market agreements, did the real values come to light. This is a proven fact. We find it incomprehensible that the clubs with TFK at the forefront, despite this, do not find worthy participation in processes that are absolutely essential for the further development of our own product. The clubs and TFK have almost themselves ensured the fantastic development we have seen in the last three years. NFF should applaud this, among other things by acknowledging TFK's role. Instead, we experience that we are opposed. We all work for the same cause. Therefore, it is undividedly positive for NFF that the interest organizations and clubs become larger, stronger and more competent. This must not be perceived as a threat, but on the contrary as gratifying and necessary to establish increased power to further strengthen Norwegian football together. We want a leadership that goes to great lengths for gender equality and for greater recognition of women's football and its players. Who understands both the social, sporting and economic side of equalizing women and men. What now? In a meeting with the President on 21.12.2020, we were promised full participation in all future processes. That is a step forward. We heard the Secretary-General lament the process. It does not help us the first 7-8 years. We have the following requirements in the further process: Toppfotball Kvinner must, on behalf of the clubs in the Toppserien and the second league, receive all relevant documents in the case concerning the media negotiations. No one should be able to live with the fact that there is no trust in the process. NFF must present a plan for how we will be able to increase the resource transfers to the top clubs on the women's side in the years to come. Secondly, we agree that: A balanced cooperation agreement is established with NFF, on an equal footing with men's football. That NFF and TFK together discuss with the licensees about how the product itself should be presented, and agree with them. In the same way as men's football. We expect that the federal board can be positive to these expectations, accept the demands, and that based on the lessons learned in this case, take the initiative for a real involvement and equality for TFK and the women's clubs. It stands for the credibility of the entire football family, that new tones are now coming from the federal board. Sincerely, Clubs in Toppserien and the second league -- NFF has promised a reply to this letter in the next few days.
Wow. Thank you so much for that! Just a fascinating read. How the clubs have banded together is admirable. I had the feeling that Hege Jørgensen was leading the charge or heavily involved in uniting the teams together to one universal message. The broadcasting battle is lost and it's a significant one because of the length of the deal, but the war can still be won. I was hoping there would be an admission of wrongdoing and some kind of greater silver lining offered. Women give so much for so little. You just can't say or repeat that enough. Every now and then you see heroic acts like the Danish men paying for the women's equality a few years ago. Now would be a great time for the NFF to show some creative global leadership in a similar regard.
Andrine Hegerberg with ACL injury. Just when she was getting back in consideration for Sjögren's NT squad. Devastating to share I’ve torn my ACL.Hard to put words to it. I’ve dedicated my whole life to this sport and with no doubt I will dedicate all it takes to get back. We rock on. I will at least 🦿🚀 pic.twitter.com/1YDd16hdN1— Andrine S Hegerberg (@AndrineStolsmo) January 11, 2021
"It was in training, no close contact, and she twisted her knee" Unfortunately all too common. Tough break. Wonder if there isn't some sort of mysterious force at play when it comes to Hegerberg's and the national team.
Agreement achieved with Caro Hansen to extend her contract at Barcelona until June 2023. Her current contract was due to run out the upcoming summer.
Another look at Silly Season. There will be no annual pre-season camp in Spain for Toppserien clubs this winter for reasons we all know too well by now. So there doesn’t seem to be the same urgency to sign players in a hurry and finalize the squad when there is no La Manga departure waiting. The usual January clear-out dominates this update. Arna Bjørnar IN: Milena Kokosz (fw, Åsane), Kamilla Aabel (df, Røa), Miljana Ivanovic (fw, ZFK Mašinac Niš), Gudbjörg Gunnarsdottir (gk, Djurgården), Mia Jalkerud (fw, Djurgården), Marte Hjelmhaug (df, Sandviken) OUT: Pia Rijsdijk (fw, Napoli), Augustine Siliki (df, FC d’Ebolowa), Teagan Micah (gk, Melbourne City), Kristina Erman (df, unknown dest.), Kristin Risnes (df, unknown dest.), Åsne Takle Eide (df, retiring), Marije Brummel (df, retiring) Avaldsnes IN: Giovanna de Oliveira (fw, Santos), Rebecka Holum (fw, Røa), Jenny Olsen (fw, Lyn), Sara Pavlovic (mf, Spartak Subotica), Cille Nilsen (mf/fw, Stord) OUT: Katrina Gorry (mf, Brisbane Roar), Elise Thorsnes (fw, Vålerenga), Rash Ajibade (fw, Atletico Madrid), Ylinn Tennebø (mf, Vålerenga), Maria Min Xiu Sørenes (mf, Medkila), Julia Molin (df, Glasgow City), Clare Polkinghorne (df, Brisbane Roar) Klepp IN: Kathrine Larsen (gk, Djurgården) OUT: Marthine Østenstad (df, Sandviken), Tuva Hansen (df, Sandviken), Elisabeth Terland (mf/fw, Sandviken), Nicole Stanton (mf, Chicago Red Stars), Matilde Rogde (fw, Rosenborg), Isabella Hayes (fw, pregnant), Hege Hansen (fw, pregnant), Aleksandra Sikora (df, unknown dest.), Adelaide Gay (gk, unknown dest.) Kolbotn IN: Vilde Birkeli (mf, Røa), Ingrid Kvernvolden (fw, Røa), Marit Clausen (fw, Rosenborg), Lena Soleng Hansen (df, Uppsala) OUT: Nikola Orgill (df, Western Sydney Wanderers), Marit Bratberg Lund (df, Sandviken), Maja Nordahl (df, Lyn), Noor Eckhoff (mf, Melbourne City) LSK Kvinner IN: Mimmi Löfwenius (fw, Lyn), Camilla Linberg (fw, Lyn) OUT: Silje Kittilsen (mf, Fart), Cathrine Dekkerhus (mf, unknown dest.), Heidi Ellingsen (mf, Linköping) Lyn IN: Maja Nordahl (df, Kolbotn) OUT: Mimmi Löfwenius (fw, LSK Kvinner), Camilla Linberg (fw, LSK Kvinner), Mariana Larroquette (fw, Kansas City), Trine S. Jensen (df, unknown dest.), Jenny Olsen (fw, Avaldsnes) Rosenborg IN: Matilde Rogde (fw, Klepp) OUT: Rakel Engesvik (mf, Sandviken), Marit Clausen (fw, Kolbotn) Sandviken IN: Marthine Østenstad (df, Klepp), Tuva Hansen (df, Klepp), Elisabeth Terland (mf/fw, Klepp), Rakel Engesvik (mf, Rosenborg), Marit Bratberg Lund (df, Kolbotn) OUT: Nora Gjøen (gk, unknown dest.), Anna Lan Lysebo (df, unknown dest.), Marte Hjelmhaug (df, Arna Bjørnar), Marina H. Jensen (Amazon Grimstad) Stabæk IN: Linn Huseby (mf, Røa) OUT: Ina Kristoffersen (df, Amazon Grimstad) Vålerenga IN: Camilla Huseby (df, Djurgården), Elise Thorsnes (fw, Avaldsnes), Amanda Andradottir (mf/fw, Nordsjælland), Ylinn Tennebø (mf, Avaldsnes) OUT: Sherida Spitse (mf, Ajax), Maruschka Waldus (df, Adelaide City), Mia Huse (mf, Røa), Ajara Njoya (fw, Atletico Madrid), Kine Fløtre (mf, abroad) - Arna Bjørnar have signalled busy transfer activity until March. Their squad is being revamped big time. At least seven players are leaving or retiring and the centre-back captain Helene Gloppen still hasn’t signed on for 2021, but negotiations are ongoing. One quality signing was made this week from local rivals Sandviken; Marte Hjelmhaug at left-back. More to come. - Avaldsnes have signed the Serbian international midfielder Sara Pavlovic who has played in the Champions League this season. Avaldsnes have also signed Cille Nilsen on a pro contract on her 15th birthday and brought her into the senior squad. She must have impressed immensely to be included at that age. They have apparently followed her development since she was 12. - Kolbotn’s Noor Eckhoff has signed for Australian champions Melbourne City. Australia-Norway transfers have been quite frequent in recent years. The W-league season is short and is held during the Norwegian off-season and some choose to double up. Eckhoff is expected to return to Kolbotn later this year. - Heidi Ellingsen leaves LSK to join her close friend Frida Maanum in Linköping. With Dekkerhus also gone, LSK need a new quality central midfielder. - Lena Soleng Hansen leaves Sweden and the relegated Uppsala team and joins Kolbotn, not Klepp where she came from. Interesting. Players can’t leave Klepp fast enough these days. A further two established names jumped ship recently: Aleksandra Sikora (reputedly) and Adelaide Gay. In addition to the newly signed Danish goalie, coach Nick Loftus has only got one established foreigner contracted for 2021, the Canadian Marie-Yasmine d’Anjou signed from Sporting Huelca last year. The rest are pretty much academy teenagers and one or two domestic veterans. Klepp need some strong weeks on the market now.
Huge reps and even bigger thanks for the updates. As they say; the plot thickens. Feel bad for the players to miss their week in the sun, imagine it was always a highlight of the year and quite important to team dynamics. Hopefully creative minds are at work on how to give them something new and exciting as a replacement domestically. And if not at the league level hope the clubs take it on. Haven't heard anything out of UEFA about Vålerenga's Champions League matches, wonder if that translates into cry me a river.
So anybody know about Hege Riise?(said to become England’s/GB’s coach for the Olympics) what kind of style does she plays?