Norway Team Page
Squad
Coach: Bjarne Berntsen
Roster
Goalkeepers: Bente Nordby, Erika Skarsbø, Christine Colombo Nilsen
Defenders: Ane Stangeland Horpestad, Gunhild Følstad, Siri Nordby, Camilla Huse, Trine Rønning, Marit Fiane Christensen
Midfielders: Ingvild Stensland, Solveig Gulbrandsen, Guro Knutsen, Madeleine Giske, Marie Knutsen, Lene Storløkken
Forwards: Isabell Herlovsen, Melissa Wiik, Leni Larsen Kaurin, Ragnhild Gulbrandsen, Lene Mykjåland, Lise Klaveness
Scouting Report
Current world ranking: 4th (third in UEFA)
Strengths: Norway remains one of the top countries in the world for a reason – talent. From goalkeeping (Bente Nordby) to a rock-solid backline to a stacked midfield, this year’s World Cup team is deep and experienced. In soccer, the midfield controls the game and fortunately for Norway, it has some of the best midfielders in the world, including Solveig Gulbrandsen, Lene Storløkken and Ingvild Stensland. Tactically, head coach Bjarne Berntsen has moved away from the traditional long-ball game to a more possession-driven, build from the back style.
Weaknesses: Goal scoring is a concern for the Norwegian side. They failed to score a goal at the 2006 Algarve Cup, and until their most recent exhibition game (a 2-2 draw with Germany), Norway had either not scored or managed just a goal in friendlies since May. Berntsen has been experimenting with his lineup and used a 4-3-3 formation in the last game against Germany to address the offensive concerns.
Player to watch: Solveig Gulbrandsen has returned to the squad after taking a year off to have her first child. The midfielder is the team’s main playmaker and will be counted upon for pulling the strings of attack. Gulbrandsen doesn’t just dish out the pretty passes, she’s also a threat to score and though she’s just 26, she has already played more than 100 caps for her country and in two World Cups.
Prognosis: Norway should finish atop the group without much trouble. Canadian coach Even Pellerud knows his former side quite well, which could cause the Norwegians some problems.
ROAD TO THE WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
2007 qualification route: Norway earned its berth for China 2007 by placing first in Group 1 of the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2007 qualification (UEFA).
Qualification record: 8 matches played, 7 wins, 1 draw, 0 losses
Goals for: 22 Goals against: 3
Top goal scorer in qualifying: Ragnhild Gulbrandsen (5)
Qualifying results:
Round robin (Group 1) – in Europe
Aug. 27, 2005 – Norway 4, Ukraine 1 in Lillestrøm, Norway
Sept. 24, 2005 – Serbia and Montenegro 0, Norway 4
Oct. 29, 2005 – Norway 1, Italy 0 in Bergen, Norway
March 25, 2006 – Greece 0, Norway 3 in Athens, Greece
May 10, 2006 – Norway 3, Serbia and Montenegro 0 in Sandefjord, Norway
June 20, 2006 – Norway 4, Greece 0
Aug. 27, 2006 – Ukraine 1, Norway 1 in Lviv, Ukraine
Sept. 23, 2006 – Italy 1, Norway 2 in Rimini, Italy
Women’s World Cup 1st round matches (all times local)
Sept. 12 – Norway vs. Canada in Hangzhou (Hangzhou Dragon Stadium) at 20:00
Sept. 15 – Australia vs. Norway in Hangzhou (Hangzhou Dragon Stadium) at 20:00
Sept. 19 – Norway vs. Ghana in Shanghai (Hangkou Football Stadium) at 17:00
WOMEN’S WORLD CUP HISTORY
One of the traditional powerhouses of the women’s game, Norway captured the World Cup in 1995 and were runners-up in the inaugural tournament in 1991. Since then, the Norwegians haven’t found the podium, but have always made it past the group stages.
Number of previous Women’s World Cup appearances: 4
Hosted the Women’s World Cup: never
1991 – Runner-up
1995 – Champion
1999 – Fourth
2003 – Quarter-finals
