Norway blend youth and experience

By Eivind Aarre

World and Olympic champions feature alongside emerging talent in Norway's squad for the 2005 UEFA European Women's Championship.

Olympic glory
The past is represented by players such as goalkeeper Bente Nordby, a FIFA Women's World Cup winner in 1995, midfielder Unni Lehn and Dagny Mellgren, the striker who scored the golden goal when Norway won Olympic gold in 2000. That success in Sydney meant the Norwegians became the first nation to win the game's three biggest prizes, having ruled Europe in 1987 and 1993.

Rebuilding
Young players dominate Bjarne Berntsen's squad, however, with the 16-year-old Isabell Herlovsen the most inexperienced of the 20 players. Since Norway failed to qualify for the 2004 Olympics, the emphasis has been on rebuilding, a tactic which has seen the likes of tall striker Tone Heimlund (the only uncapped player along with goalkeeper Christine Colombo Nilsen) and speedy winger Stine Frantzen graduate from the Under-19 fold.

Mixed results
Norway have played seven games under Bernsten since the former international defender replaced Åge Steen in December, losing four of them, drawing with Sweden and defeating China and Denmark. Norway will compete in Group B in England this summer alongside favourites Germany, France and Italy.

Norway squad

Goalkeepers
Bente Nordby (Asker FK)
Ingrid Hjelmseth (SK Trondheims-Ørn)
Christine Colombo Nilsen (Kolbotn IL).

Defenders
Ane Stangeland (Klepp IL)
Gunhild Følstad (SK Trondheims-Ørn)
Siri Nordby (Røa IL)
Marit Fiane Christensen (Røa IL)
Maritha Kaufmann (Team Strømmen)
Marianne Paulsen (SK Trondheims-Ørn)

Midfielders
Ingvild Stensland (Kolbotn IL)
Solveig Gulbrandsen (Kolbotn IL)
Unni Lehn (SK Trondheims-Ørn)
Lise Klaveness (Asker FK)
Marie Knutsen (Kattem IL)

Forwards
Trine Rønning (Kolbotn IL)
Isabell Herlovsen (Kolbotn IL)
Dagny Mellgren (Klepp IL)
Tone Heimlund (Fløya IL)
Kristin Blystad Bjerke (Kolbotn IL)
Stine Frantzen (Fløya IL)