GROUP A
NORWAY
The Grasshoppers are looking to bounce back from a humbling Euro 2022 in England, which ended in the group stage after a devastating 8-0 defeat to the hosts.
Hege Riise (right), the Norway legend and one-time Lionesses head coach, is now at the helm. After picking up form at the end of last year, however, it's been a difficult 2023 so far, losing to both Sweden and Denmark.
As Norway's most-capped player with 188 appearances, and one of only three players to win the World Cup, Euros and an Olympic gold medal, she has the pedigree to pick her team up off the collective floor. For the talent at their disposal, especially in attack, Norway have disappointed for a while now, failing to reach the last four in any major tournament since they made it to the final of Euro 2013.
Talismanic Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg is still returning to her best after lengthy injury lay-offs, but lessening the burden on her are stellar wingers in Caroline Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten, of Barcelona and Chelsea respectively. Arsenal's Frida Maanum is also impressing of late, while exciting youngsters include Manchester City's Julie Blakstad and Brighton's Elisabeth Terland, both 21. And, if Hegerberg doesn't fire, then Emilie Haavi has been enjoying a career resurgence at Roma, performing consistently well for the new Serie A champions. In short, Norway have no excuses for a repeat of last summer.
A young backline leaves Riise still looking to find defensive balance without square pegs in round holes, which cost them last summer. But, with a kind draw and plenty of firepower, this tournament offers Norway a prime chance to get things back on track.
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