Norway v Iceland: Nordic Neighbours Clash at Women’s EURO

Norway v Iceland will light up Oslo’s Ullevaal Stadion on 10 July 2025 when the two Nordic powerhouses meet on Matchday 2 of Group B at UEFA Women’s EURO 2025. Both sides arrive with ambitions that stretch far beyond the group stage, and this fixture, rich with regional rivalry, could prove decisive in shaping the quarter-final bracket.

Norway v Iceland – Match Snapshot

The encounter kicks off at 18:00 CET, with a sell-out crowd and millions more watching worldwide. Norway, eight-time finalists and two-time champions, opened their campaign with a 3-0 win over Austria. Iceland, chasing a first knockout berth, earned a gritty 1-1 draw against Spain. Three points here would virtually seal progression for either nation.

Team News and Injury Updates

Hege Riise’s Norway welcome back Caroline Graham Hansen after a precautionary rest, while midfield engine Ingrid Engen has shaken off a minor ankle knock. Icelandic boss Þorsteinn Halldórsson, meanwhile, must cope without veteran full-back Sif Atladóttir, sidelined by a hamstring strain, but rising star Diljá Zomers returns to the match-day squad.

Tactical Overview: How the Sides Match Up

Expect Norway to deploy their familiar 4-3-3, built around swift wing play and high pressing. Graham Hansen and Guro Reiten will attempt to stretch Iceland’s back line, freeing striker Ada Hegerberg to roam between the centre-backs. Iceland favour a compact 4-4-2 diamond, relying on Sveindís Jónsdóttir’s pace in transition and Sara Björk Gunnarsdóttir’s leadership in midfield. Winning the second-ball battle will be central to containing Norway’s fluid possession game.

Key Battles to Watch

• Hegerberg vs Glódís Perla Viggósdóttir: Two world-class talents collide in a duel that could decide the scoreline.
• Graham Hansen vs Guðný Árnadóttir: The Barcelona winger’s dribbling against Iceland’s tenacious left-back offers fireworks on the flank.
• Engen vs Gunnarsdóttir: A midfield chess match featuring positional discipline and thunderous tackles.

Head-to-Head History

In 27 previous meetings, Norway boast 20 wins, Iceland three, with four draws. Yet recent results suggest a narrowing gap: Iceland stunned Norway 3-2 in Reykjavík last year, and their last three clashes produced nine goals and end-to-end drama. Another close affair seems likely.

What the Coaches Said

Riise played down the favourites tag: “We respect Iceland’s spirit. They defend as a unit and transition quickly; we must stay patient and clinical.” Halldórsson countered: “Pressure is on Norway. We relish being underdogs and know these margins are slim. One moment can swing the whole night.”

Live Commentary and How to Follow

Goal Sports News will deliver minute-by-minute text updates, in-play stats and post-match analysis. Nordic broadcasters NRK (Norway) and RÚV (Iceland) carry live television coverage, while UEFA.tv streams highlights worldwide. Fans can join the conversation on social media using #NORISL2025.

Predicted Line-ups

Norway: Mikalsen; Mjelde, Harviken, Bjelde, Boe Risa; Engen, Maanum, Haug; Graham Hansen, Hegerberg, Reiten.

Iceland: Sigurðardóttir; Árnadóttir, Viggosdóttir, Thorvaldsdóttir, Brynjarsdóttir; Gunnarsdóttir, Vilhjálmsdóttir, Zomers, Magnusdóttir; Jónsdóttir, Brynjars.

Form Guide

Norway’s last five outings read W-W-D-W-W, highlighted by an impressive 2-0 friendly triumph over France. Iceland have posted D-W-L-W-D, their resilience underlined by conceding only three goals in those fixtures. Both camps speak of momentum, yet the statistics point to Norway averaging 2.4 goals per match compared with Iceland’s 1.1 across the past year.

Stat Zone

• Norway v Iceland has averaged 3.1 goals per game since 2010.
• Hegerberg needs one strike to move level with Ann Kristin Aarønes as Norway’s all-time Women’s EURO scorer.
• Iceland have kept four clean sheets in their last six competitive matches.
• Norway hold 58 % average possession across their previous ten matches; Iceland sit at 41 %.

Route to the Knockouts

With Spain looming on Matchday 3, Iceland’s margins are thin; a draw keeps dreams alive, while defeat piles pressure on a must-win finale. Norway, conversely, could clinch qualification tonight and rotate their squad later. Such contrasting incentives may shape second-half approaches, particularly if the tie is level entering the closing stages.

Weather and Pitch Report

A cool 16 °C evening with light Nordic breezes promises ideal playing conditions. UEFA’s pitch inspectors have awarded Ullevaal’s hybrid surface a top grade, enabling quick passing—music to Norway’s attacking ears but a potential leveller for Iceland’s counter-press.

Players to Watch

Ada Hegerberg: The 2023 Ballon d’Or Féminin runner-up thrives on big occasions and averages a goal every 82 minutes for club and country this season.
Sveindís Jónsdóttir: Blessed with sprinter’s speed, the Wolfsburg winger recorded the tournament-best top speed of 32.5 km/h on Matchday 1.
Frida Maanum: Arsenal’s dynamic midfielder leads Norway in progressive carries and presses in the attacking third.

Expert Prediction

Expect an open first half as Norway chase early dominance. Iceland’s deep block will occasionally morph into a 5-3-2 when under sustained pressure, but counter-attacks down Norway’s right channel could yield chances. Set-pieces remain Iceland’s trump card, with Gunnarsdóttir’s inswinging deliveries targeting Viggosdóttir’s aerial prowess. Our model gives Norway a 62 % win probability, Iceland 18 %, and a draw at 20 %.

Opinion: Why This Nordic Derby Matters

Beyond points, Norway v Iceland symbolises the accelerating growth of women’s football in the region. Norway’s professionalised youth system, once the benchmark, now faces stern competition from Iceland’s rapidly maturing domestic league. Victory tonight could ripple through future funding decisions, grassroots participation, and the perception of where the sport’s Arctic frontier leadership truly lies.

Short opinion: I tip Norway to edge a spirited contest 2-1, but Iceland’s tenacity ensures this derby will be anything but straightforward.