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Washington Post
5 days ago
- Sport
- Washington Post
Norway captain Hegerberg's leadership highlighted as key to Euro 2025 challenge
OSLO, Norway — The leadership of Norway captain Ada Hegerberg was highlighted Monday as key for the two-time former title holder heading into the Women's European Championship next month. Hegerberg, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner , headed a 23-player squad picked by coach Gemma Grainger for the July 2-27 tournament in Switzerland. 'One of Ada's biggest strengths is how authentic she is,' Grainger said Monday with Hegerberg sitting next to her at a squad announcement event. 'Ada will always tell me what she thinks,' the coach said, adding 'then you get to places a lot quicker' even if it involved 'many uncomfortable conversations.' Hegerberg quipped with a smile: 'That is what you get.' Norway was European champion in 1987 and 1993 and is a four-time beaten finalist, most recently in 2013 when the team had a teenage forward line of Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen. The two storied veterans and former Champions League winners — Hegerberg at Lyon and Hansen at Barcelona — with a combined 100 national-team goals are the biggest stars in the Euro 2025 squad. The 30-year-old Hegerberg has 49 goals despite persistent injuries, and a five-year exile from the team ahead of Euro 2022 that helped push the national federation to treat women's soccer more equally. Norway has not advanced from the group stage in the past two Euros editions though looks favored in the 16-nation draw for Euro 2025. Norway plays in the opening-day game against host Switzerland on July 2 in Basel, faces Finland at Sion four days later and Iceland on June 10 in Thun. 'People can say there are none of the bigger names in our group,' Grainger said. 'You don't underestimate anybody.' Defender Maren Mjelde was picked for her fifth Euros at age 35 and with 179 national-team games. Four players left on standby include Liverpool forward Sophie Román Haug. ____ Norway squad Goalkeepers: Cecilie Fiskerstrand (Fiorentina), Aurora Mikalsen (Cologne), Selma Panengstuen (Brann). Defenders: Tuva Hansen (Bayern Munich), Guro Bergsvand (Wolfsburg), Maren Mjelde (No club), Thea Bjelde (Valerenga), Marit Bratberg Lund (Benfica), Emilie Woldvik (Rosengard), Mathilde Harviken (Juventus). Midfielders: Ingrid Syrstad Engen (Barcelona), Vilde Bøe Risa (Atletico Madrid), Elisabeth Terland (Manchester United), Justine Kielland (Wolfsburg), Lisa Naalsund (Manchester United), Frida Maanum (Arsenal), Guro Reiten (Chelsea), Signe Gaupset (Brann). Forwards: Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona), Ada Hegerberg (Lyon), Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Manchester United), Synne Jensen (Atletico Madrid), Karina Sævik (Valerenga). ___ AP soccer:
Associated Press
5 days ago
- Sport
- Associated Press
Norway captain Hegerberg's leadership highlighted as key to Euro 2025 challenge
OSLO, Norway (AP) — The leadership of Norway captain Ada Hegerberg was highlighted Monday as key for the two-time former title holder heading into the Women's European Championship next month. Hegerberg, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, headed a 23-player squad picked by coach Gemma Grainger for the July 2-27 tournament in Switzerland. 'One of Ada's biggest strengths is how authentic she is,' Grainger said Monday with Hegerberg sitting next to her at a squad announcement event. 'Ada will always tell me what she thinks,' the coach said, adding 'then you get to places a lot quicker' even if it involved 'many uncomfortable conversations.' Hegerberg quipped with a smile: 'That is what you get.' Norway was European champion in 1987 and 1993 and is a four-time beaten finalist, most recently in 2013 when the team had a teenage forward line of Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen. The two storied veterans and former Champions League winners — Hegerberg at Lyon and Hansen at Barcelona — with a combined 100 national-team goals are the biggest stars in the Euro 2025 squad. The 30-year-old Hegerberg has 49 goals despite persistent injuries, and a five-year exile from the team ahead of Euro 2022 that helped push the national federation to treat women's soccer more equally. Norway has not advanced from the group stage in the past two Euros editions though looks favored in the 16-nation draw for Euro 2025. Norway plays in the opening-day game against host Switzerland on July 2 in Basel, faces Finland at Sion four days later and Iceland on June 10 in Thun. 'People can say there are none of the bigger names in our group,' Grainger said. 'You don't underestimate anybody.' Defender Maren Mjelde was picked for her fifth Euros at age 35 and with 179 national-team games. Four players left on standby include Liverpool forward Sophie Román Haug. ____ Norway squad Goalkeepers: Cecilie Fiskerstrand (Fiorentina), Aurora Mikalsen (Cologne), Selma Panengstuen (Brann). Defenders: Tuva Hansen (Bayern Munich), Guro Bergsvand (Wolfsburg), Maren Mjelde (No club), Thea Bjelde (Valerenga), Marit Bratberg Lund (Benfica), Emilie Woldvik (Rosengard), Mathilde Harviken (Juventus). Midfielders: Ingrid Syrstad Engen (Barcelona), Vilde Bøe Risa (Atletico Madrid), Elisabeth Terland (Manchester United), Justine Kielland (Wolfsburg), Lisa Naalsund (Manchester United), Frida Maanum (Arsenal), Guro Reiten (Chelsea), Signe Gaupset (Brann). Forwards: Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona), Ada Hegerberg (Lyon), Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Manchester United), Synne Jensen (Atletico Madrid), Karina Sævik (Valerenga). ___ AP soccer:
Al Arabiya
5 days ago
- Sport
- Al Arabiya
Norway Captain Hegerberg's Leadership Highlighted as Key to Euro 2025 Challenge
The leadership of Norway captain Ada Hegerberg was highlighted Monday as key for the two-time former title holder heading into the Women's European Championship next month. Hegerberg, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner, headed a 23-player squad picked by coach Gemma Grainger for the July 2–27 tournament in Switzerland. 'One of Ada's biggest strengths is how authentic she is,' Grainger said Monday with Hegerberg sitting next to her at a squad announcement event. 'Ada will always tell me what she thinks,' the coach said, adding 'then you get to places a lot quicker even if it involved many uncomfortable conversations.' Hegerberg quipped with a smile: 'That is what you get.' For all the latest headlines, follow our Google News channel online or via the app. Norway was European champion in 1987 and 1993 and is a four-time beaten finalist, most recently in 2013 when the team had a teenage forward line of Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen. The two storied veterans and former Champions League winners – Hegerberg at Lyon and Hansen at Barcelona – with a combined 100 national-team goals are the biggest stars in the Euro 2025 squad. The 30-year-old Hegerberg has 49 goals despite persistent injuries and a five-year exile from the team ahead of Euro 2022 that helped push the national federation to treat women's soccer more equally. Norway has not advanced from the group stage in the past two Euros editions, though looks favored in the 16-nation draw for Euro 2025. Norway plays in the opening-day game against host Switzerland on July 2 in Basel, faces Finland at Sion four days later, and Iceland on June 10 in Thun. 'People can say there are none of the bigger names in our group,' Grainger said. 'You don't underestimate anybody.' Defender Maren Mjelde was picked for her fifth Euros at age 35 and with 179 national-team games. Four players left on standby include Liverpool forward Sophie Román Haug. Norway squad Goalkeepers: Cecilie Fiskerstrand (Fiorentina), Aurora Mikalsen (Cologne), Selma Panengstuen (Brann). Defenders: Tuva Hansen (Bayern Munich), Guro Bergsvand (Wolfsburg), Maren Mjelde (No club), Thea Bjelde (Valerenga), Marit Bratberg Lund (Benfica), Emilie Woldvik (Rosengård), Mathilde Harviken (Juventus). Midfielders: Ingrid Syrstad Engen (Barcelona), Vilde Bøe Risa (Atletico Madrid), Elisabeth Terland (Manchester United), Justine Kielland (Wolfsburg), Lisa Naalsund (Manchester United), Frida Maanum (Arsenal), Guro Reiten (Chelsea), Signe Gaupset (Brann). Forwards: Caroline Graham Hansen (Barcelona), Ada Hegerberg (Lyon), Celin Bizet Ildhusøy (Manchester United), Synne Jensen (Atletico Madrid), Karina Sævik (Valerenga).
New York Times
26-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
How Arsenal became European champions for a second time: Pressing, doubling up and smart subs
Underdog victories in major finals aren't usually achieved so convincingly. Arsenal were rank outsiders going into the Champions League final against Barcelona on Saturday, with odds of up to 14/1 for them to win the game in 90 minutes. Player for player, Arsenal might only get a couple of names into the starting XI of Barcelona, the dominant side in this competition in recent years. But collectively, Arsenal were unquestionably superior, recording an unlikely but thoroughly deserved victory. Advertisement This Arsenal side is comprised almost solely of highly technical players. Centre-backs Steph Catley and Leah Williamson are a former left-back and a former midfielder respectively. Central midfielders Kim Little and Mariona Caldentey are No 10s at heart. Renee Slegers has eschewed old-school centre-backs and functional holding midfielders, and stuck to her Plan A despite knowing Arsenal would spend long periods without the ball. It worked brilliantly. Arsenal's system was 4-4-2 without possession. The defensive line was high, keeping the shape compact, and Alessia Russo and Frida Maanum worked together to shut down Barcelona's build-up play. While Alexia Putellas and Aitana Bonmati receive the most praise, the Barcelona player that requires special attention is right winger Caroline Graham Hansen, whose dribbling can destroy opponents. But Arsenal were incredibly diligent at getting various players around her. Here, Caitlin Foord drops back to help out Katie McCabe, and Graham Hansen is dispossessed when she tries to go past them. Here's a similar situation, although this time it's central midfielder Little who goes out to confront Graham Hansen, with Caldentey her closest support. It doesn't make sense, on paper, for Arsenal's midfield duo to both find themselves in the left-back zone — and the edge of the box is completely empty. But that showed Arsenal's determination to shut down Barca's most dangerous player. In other situations, too, Arsenal's wingers worked incredibly hard. Here's a classic Barcelona move, with Mapi Leon releasing Fridolina Rolfo on the overlap, after Arsenal right-back Emily Fox has got sucked into tracking Claudia Pina dropping deep. Rolfo is well in advance of Foord, briefly playing on the right, and is one of the quickest players on the pitch. But Foord made up an incredible amount of ground to produce a brilliant tackle, which she celebrated like a goal. Here's an example from the second half. Substitute Salma Paralluelo is down the left, and Barca are building an attack. Chloe Kelly, on the halfway line here, isn't in a great position to help stop her. But Kelly makes a 30-yard recovery run to tackle Paralluelo, who seemed surprised to see Kelly was even there. Also highlighted is Putellas on the ground — Kelly had also blocked off her run. Arsenal needed to be brave with their pressing — that's what brought their memorable 4-1 victory at Lyon, and it's the only way to seriously cause Barcelona problems. They did that well throughout the game, working in pairs to win possession high up the pitch. Here, Pina thinks she's free for a pass from Rolfo. But both Maanum and Little are closing down from either side. Pina only spots Little, to the right. She turns left, and runs into Maanum, who makes the tackle. Then Little picks up the loose ball, and Arsenal are on the attack. Here's a similar situation. Goalkeeper Cata Coll plays the ball into Putellas, who doesn't know Kelly is behind her and about to shut her down. Kelly makes the tackle, and two Arsenal players are on hand to take charge. Really, Caldentey didn't make the most of this situation. Arsenal's only problem was playing Russo in behind. This early ball in behind from Kelly was the right idea, but Leon stepped up at the right time to play her offside (as she did for Arsenal's disallowed goal, incidentally). The next time Arsenal were in a similar situation, Russo went too early, was in an offside position, so had to halt her run. Then it was Foord who made the run in behind instead… …but Coll swept well, and Foord was flagged offside anyway. This became a particular problem for Arsenal at the start of the second half, when Barcelona were starting to build pressure and Arsenal kept giving the ball away. Here, Williamson tries to play Russo in behind. But she's not quite on the shoulder of the last defender, and is always second-favourite. Leon is in control, and gets to the ball first. This ball from Williamson, aimed towards Russo, was also a good example of how Arsenal weren't getting it right. Was it a cross or a through-ball? Neither was likely to be effective, with Irene Paredes blocking Russo's run. But Slegers had a plan. Stina Blackstenius — who Slegers played alongside in their days at Linkoping in Sweden — is often criticised for inconsistent finishing, but few players are better at making runs in behind the defence. And when Maanum went down injured, it was the perfect opportunity to introduce Blackstenius, stretching the Barcelona defence. Shortly after coming on, and thanks to a misplaced pass from Rolfo, Blackstenius had the game's clearest chance so far. Note the position of fellow substitute Beth Mead, also bounding in behind, and also of Russo, now asked to play deeper, almost as an extra midfielder. At this point, the pass to Mead on the outside was possibly on… …but Blackstenius had a decent crack at goal herself, placing it too close to Coll. But Blackstenius' introduction clearly changed the game. Here, Fox curls a long ball in behind the defence. Compared to the aforementioned Williamson pass to Russo, Blackstenius is on the last line of defence. She's also up against Paredes, who sometimes lacks speed. The centre-back just about reaches the ball first, but can only put it behind for a corner. And Blackstenius winning that corner led to Blackstenius winning the game. In the second phase of the set piece, the other substitute, Mead, turned onto her left foot and, spotting Blackstenius was free thanks to Paralluelo charging forward towards the ball, slipped her in. Blackstenius, backing away from the defenders to find an extra half-yard of space, controlled the ball and swept it home. One-nil to the Arsenal, as the song goes. It's difficult to think of a more comprehensive tactical performance in a European final — an underdog who didn't have to ride their luck, and who overcame more celebrated footballers courtesy of organisation, discipline and in-game management. 'It was the perfect execution of a game plan,' said Little. 'Which, as a footballer, is one of the best things.'
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
The 3️⃣ standout players from the Women's Champions League final
This article was translated into English by Artificial Intelligence. You can read the original version in 🇪🇸 here. Arsenal has made history in Lisbon. The Gunner team has become the new champion of Europe after defeating FC Barcelona in the Champions League final. A final in which the British team played very intelligently against a Barça that was the favorite on the first minute, the culés were the ones who took the lead and imposed their law. But their lack of decisiveness prevented them from claiming victory against an Arsenal that played its cards perfectly: well-positioned, serious in defense, and exploiting weaknesses. A final that leaves many protagonists. But three of them shine above the rest. En medio de la euforia del triunfo en la final de la Champions League, Mariona Caldentey fue a consolar a su excompañera Aitana Bonmatí.Deportividad total. 🥹❤️ #UWCL — Mundo Pelota (@mundopelotanet) May 24, 2025 There have been matches this season where she wasn't at her best. But when the most decisive moment arrived, the best version of Mariona Caldentey reappeared. The Mallorcan player became the perfect metronome for Arsenal, creating play when it was most needed and opening up opportunities. With today's final, she presents her candidacy for the Ballon d'Or. And rightly so. 📸 David Ramos - 2025 Getty Images A match to forget for FC Barcelona. But especially for Caroline Graham Hansen, who in just a year went from being decisive in a final, as she was in Bilbao, to being completely nullified in the match. Her presence in the final was almost nonexistent. A factor that Arsenal knew how to exploit perfectly in a match like this. 😍 STINA STINGS BARÇABeth Mead sees Blackstenius, sets her up, and Arsenal lead 1-0!📺 Watch the UEFA Women's Champions League FINAL LIVE & FREE on DAZN!🔗 #EnjoyTheShow — DAZN Women's Football (@DAZNWFootball) May 24, 2025 There are players who change games and make a difference. One of them is Stina Blackstenius, and today she proved once again that she is decisive. Especially when you have quality in abundance in your boots. The Swedish player came off the bench and rescued Arsenal when they were struggling the most. Her verticality allowed for opportunities to be created, and it was from her boots that the goal that decided the final came. A truly iconic player. 📸 Maja Hitij - 2025 Getty Images
