Norway claim underdog status

The strongest challengers to Germany's dominance of the European female game in the last 20 years, Norway ought to be going into UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2009™ with confidence. But a poor run of results this year has striker Melissa Wiik admitting: "Very few expect us to do well."

Distinguished record
European champions in 1987 and 1993, 1995 FIFA Women's World Cup winners and 2000 Olympic champions, Norway seemed to be regaining that status when they reached the UEFA WOMEN'S EURO 2005™ final and 2007 World Cup semis, denied on both occasions by Germany. They begin their campaign in Finland against the holders on 24 August, however things have changed in the squad since their run in China two years ago.

Absentees
Not long after a 0-0 draw in Russia last October sealed Norway's place in the European finals, Røa IL quartet Marit Fiane Christensen, Marie Knutsen, Guro Knutsen, Lene Mykjåland and Siri Nordby quit the national squad, adding to the retirements of captain Ane Stangeland and goalkeeper Bente Nordby. This year Norway have played six games, losing to Sweden – who they face again in a last friendly next Wednesday – Iceland, Denmark, the United States and England, beating only Austria. An extra headache was produced by the absence of new first-choice goalkeeper Erika Skarbø, who had a wrist operation in January and has not returned to the squad since.

Improving
However, Wiik believes that Group B opponents Germany, France and Iceland could still be in for a surprise. "The other teams haven't seen us play together much, and they won't know how we play," the Stabæk FK striker said. "That can prove to be to our advantage. We are getting better and better collectively. The team isn't as experienced as the team that reached the final in 2005, but the young players are really good."

Dark horses
Indeed, the 24-year-old thinks their undistinguished form could work to their advantage. "Very few expect us to do well," Wiik added. "We won't have anything to lose." Veteran midfielder Solveig Gulbrandsen agrees. "We aren't good at being favourites, and will maybe do better as the dark horses," she said.

Coach's concerns
Coach Bjarne Berntsen's main concerns this year have been at the back, where he has had to make the bulk of his enforced changes, and seen his side concede 14 goals in their six fixtures. "We have to do better defensively, to concede fewer goals," he said. "Three of our defensive stalwarts from earlier years have left, so now we need to establish a new defence. Our attacking structure does also leave a lot to be desired."

Young and hungry
Despite his criticisms, Berntsen – who took over just before the 2005 finals – still has reason for optimism ahead of his last tournament at the helm. "This is a young squad, and I hope our results so far haven't affected them too much," he said. "I hope that it will shine through that this is a young and hungry team. Germany, France and Iceland are difficult opponents. We meet two of the favourites in Germany and France. The first goal will have to be to reach the semi-finals."