Norway Women’s Euro 2025: Golden Generation’s Moment?

Norway Women’s Euro 2025 campaign begins with a sense of destiny, as Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen and a star-studded squad look to end 12 years of European heartache.

Norway Women’s Euro 2025 squad dripping with elite talent

Group A’s favourite boasts names from Barcelona, Lyon, Chelsea, Arsenal and Bayern Munich. Hegerberg remains Europe’s most feared No.9, while Graham Hansen is arguably the world’s finest right-winger. Captain Maren Mjelde marshals the back line, Guro Reiten supplies creativity from midfield and dynamic full-backs Tuva Hansen and Julie Blakstad provide width. On paper, Norway Women’s Euro 2025 contenders look unbeatable.

Lessons learned from past failures

Since losing the 2013 final to Germany, Norway have crashed out of three major tournaments at the last-16 stage or earlier. The nadir was the 8-0 hammering by England at Euro 2022, swiftly followed by a timid exit to Japan at the 2023 World Cup. New head coach Gemma Grainger has spent the last year tackling mental fragility, bringing sports psychologists into every camp and demanding higher training intensity.

Tactical reset built around Hegerberg & Hansen

Grainger’s 4-3-3 maximises her two superstars. Hegerberg operates as a classic target forward, occupying centre-backs and creating space for Graham Hansen’s devastating diagonal runs. The midfield trio of Frida Maanum, Reiten and Vilde Bøe Risa ensures a balance of ball-winning and progressive passing, while centre-backs Mathilde Harviken and Maria Thorisdottir are encouraged to step into midfield to initiate attacks.

Group A: favourable but tricky

Switzerland: Hosts with passionate crowds but short on cutting edge.
Iceland: Organised, combative and always dangerous from set pieces.
Finland: Resilient yet inconsistent; can frustrate superior opponents.

Anything less than top spot would be viewed as another failure for Norway Women’s Euro 2025 hopefuls.

Key battles that will define success

1. Finishing efficiency: Hegerberg must convert early chances to avoid nerves.
2. Wing dominance: Graham Hansen vs Swiss left-back Eseosa Aigbogun could tilt the opener.
3. Midfield press: Maanum’s energy is vital to stop Iceland’s counter-attacks.
4. Defensive leadership: Mjelde has to marshal a back line that conceded 15 goals in their last two Euros combined.

Why this year feels different

• Depth: Grainger can rotate without a drop in quality; Sophie Román Haug offers a plan B.
• Form: Hegerberg has 12 goals in her last 10 Lyon outings, while Graham Hansen just lifted another Champions League with Barça.
• Unity: Post-World Cup clear-the-air talks ironed out lingering friction between big personalities and the federation.

Potential route to the final

Finish first and Norway likely avoid Spain until the semi-final. A quarter-final versus Belgium or Portugal appears winnable, while a semi against Germany or Sweden would be the ultimate test of their new-found resilience.

Norway Women’s Euro 2025 dream XI

Hjelle; T. Hansen, Mjelde, Harviken, Blakstad; Maanum, Reiten, Bøe Risa; Graham Hansen, Hegerberg, Haavi.

Injury watch

• Karina Sævik (ankle) targeting group match two.
• Ingrid Syrstad Engen (knee) doubtful but included for knockout stages.

Our View

If Norway fail this summer, excuses will be hard to find. The blend of generational talent, tactical clarity and a manageable draw make Norway Women’s Euro 2025 their best shot since 2013. Expect at least a semi-final; anything less is underachievement.