Latest news with #Hegerberg
Qatar Tribune
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Qatar Tribune
Girelli brace sinks Norway as Italy reach women's Euros semi-finals
dpa Geneva Captain Cristiana Girelli headed a 90th-minute winner to complete a brace as Italy beat Norway 2-1 to reach the semi-finals of women's Euro 2025 on Wednesday. Girelli struck in off the crossbar as the game seemed to head into extra time after Norway captain Ada Hegerberg had in the 66th minute cancelled out Girelli's first goal in the 50th. Former Ballon d'Or winner Hegerberg, who has come under criticism for playing a poor tournament, missed a penalty for the second time at the event on the hour but partially made amends with the equalizer. Twice champions Norway had won all of their group matches but it was Italy, who had advanced with just one victory from the group stage, to reach the semis for the first time since 1997 - after failing to advance into the knock-outs at the last two editions. In the semis, again in Geneva, Italy face title holders England or Sweden, who meet on Thursday. The other quarter-finals are hosts Switzerland v world champions and top favourites Spain, and France v record champions Germany. Italian joy and Hegerberg disappointment 'It is unbelievable, incredibly nice. We awarded ourselves for the development over the past years,' Italy coach Andrea Soncin said. 'It is a huge honour, we are so proud to be in the semi-finals again. The girls have grown and achieved something extraordinary.' Hegerberg told TV2 'it sucks, it really sucks,' but she added that 'I am proud of the group and how we performed.' Looking at her penalty miss, she said 'it's tough' and 'not good enough.' Italy start well bfore Norway respond Italy had the brighter start as Arianna Caruso aimed inches right in the eighth minute, Emma Severini and Girelli were in each other's way to meet a sharp cross to the near post in the 19th, and three minutes later goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand saved from Severini. Norway threatened late in the half when Thea Bjelde's sharp cross was crucially deflected by defender Elena Linari against the knee of Hegerberg who had been ready to tap in. And in the 45th Signe Gaupset saw that Italy keeper Laura Giuliani had strayed far out of her goal and aimed just wide right from more than 40m. Opening goal, offside and penalty miss Italy broke the deadlock five minutes after the restart when Girelli flicked home Sofia Cantore's sharp cross from the right. The ball was in Norway's net again three minutes later after a major scramble but Caruso was ruled offside in the build-up. It wasn't 2-0, but it then wasn't 1-1 either on the hour because Hegerberg failed to find the target from the spot after she was pushed down by Linari - missing wide right this time after firing wide left against the Swiss in the tournament opener a fortnight ago. Hegerberg redeems herself but Girelli has last laugh Hegerberg made up for it when she ran behind Norway's defence to convert a long ball from Maren Mjelde and scored the equalizer from a right ankle past the hesitating Giuliani. The goal boosted Norway who came close from Ingrid Syrstad Engen's curling shot in the 86th. But Italy stole victory at the death when Cantore's floating cross from the left found Girelli at the far post to nod the winner.
Kuwait Times
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Kuwait Times
Hegerberg central to Norway's Euro bid ahead of Italy clash
GENEVA: Ada Hegerberg is back at the heart of the Norwegian national team as she prepares to face Italy in the quarter-finals of Women's Euro 2025. Coming into the tournament off the back of a poor club season with Lyon, Hegerberg is leading Norway's bid for a first major honor since gold at the Olympics 25 year ago. The 30-year-old has shown renewed desire as Norway collected a perfect nine points from three Group A matches to set up a clash with the Italians. Hegerberg got Norway up and running in the opening 2-1 win over hosts Switzerland, netting the equalizer before winning and missing a penalty and then provoking the decisive Julia Stierli own goal. She was made captain in February and is flanked by vice-skipper and Barcelona star Caroline Graham Hansen. An honor which came after a turbulent time with the national team, which included a five-year hiatus from international football between 2017 and 2022 provoked by tensions with the Norwegian FA over unequal treatment of women's footballers. 'It's a role that requires experience and the attitude that says we need a good balance between the youngsters and those of us who have been here for a while,' said Hegerberg after the Switzerland win. 'We know we have a big role to play on and off the pitch.' The Norwegians were pioneers of modern women's football and the first country to win the World Cup, European Championship and Olympics but have fallen behind since triumphing at the Sydney Games. Now managed by Gemma Grainger, Norway failed to get out of the group stage at the last two Euros and they haven't reached the semi-finals of a summer tournament since reaching the final of Euro 2013. And they were humiliated 8-0 by England at the last Euros, a tournament that Hegerberg played in after her exile from the international game. Now Hegerberg has the chance to lead Norway back into the latter stages of a European Championship, with holders England or Scandinavian rivals Sweden potential opponents in the last four. 'Relish the moment' 'We took nine points in the group stage and are playing in the quarter-finals, it's a big moment for us. Everyone has contributed, and we want to ride the crest of that wave,' Hegerberg told reporters on Tuesday. 'To get a top four position at the Euros would be unique. It's a very important game, with a lot at stake and we want to relish the moment. The way we have acquitted ourselves as a team has been exceptional.' Standing in Norway's way are Italy who came through a tough Group B which was won by world champions Spain. Italy, a traditional powerhouse of the men's game, have impressed in Switzerland under coach Andrea Soncin although they have struggled for goals. 'They're a good team and they've developed their women's game there a lot in the last few years,' added Hegerberg. 'It'll be very cool to play such an important football nation.' Hegerberg went as far as to say it was important for women's football as a whole that Italy become a top team — something Soncin believes is happening. Italy are in the quarter-finals of the Euros for the first time since 2013. 'Recently there have been plenty of signs of growth in our game, like players being signed by clubs abroad,' said Soncin. 'That highlights the work that the clubs (in Italy) have done but beyond that there is attention on our league, and that means that the league has moved to a higher level. 'Obviously to hear that from a great like her (Hegerberg) is more recognition for the work that the girls are doing.' — AFP
New Straits Times
17-07-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Girelli fires Italy past Norway and into Euro 2025 semis
GENEVA: Cristiana Girelli shot Italy into the semi-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Wednesday with a brace, including a last-gasp winner, in the Azzurre's historic 2-1 triumph over Norway. Italy will play one of holders England or Sweden in the last four next Tuesday after Girelli headed home the decisive goal in the final minute in Geneva from Sofia Cantore's cross. The Italians hadn't reached last four of a Euros since losing the final to Germany in 1997 and will be a tough nut to crack after seeing off Norway, who have two of the women's game's biggest stars in Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen. "Cantore gave me an incredible ball for the second goal. She looked up, saw where I was and just put it on my head, so it was easy for me to put it in the goal," said Girelli. "I didn't realise how close we were to the end of the match... I still can't believe it, to tell you the truth, I can't believe it, it's just magnificent." Hegerberg, who also missed a penalty, netted for the Norwegians in the 66th minute after Girelli opened the scoring five minutes after half-time. Juventus forward Girelli has now scored 61 times for her country, with Wednesday's double probably the most important goals of her career. She is also the oldest woman to score more than once in a women's Euros at the age 35 years and 84 days. The Norwegians were pioneers of modern women's football and the first country to win the World Cup, European Championship and Olympics but have fallen behind since triumphing at the Sydney Games. Now managed by Gemma Grainger, Norway haven't reached the semi-finals of a major tournament since losing the final of the 2013 Euros. Italy were the better side for large chunks of the match but continued to squander chances just as they did while qualifying from Group B behind Spain. Arianna Caruso was the the first to fluff her lines in the ninth minute when after bundling her way into the penalty area she scuffed a great opportunity wide. Girelli then stopped Emma Severini from heading home Barbara Bonansea's inviting cross in the 20th minute by challenging for the same ball even though she had little chance of getting an effort on target. And moments later Severini hit a weak shot at Norway goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand after being sent clean through by Caruso's superb first-time pass. Hegerberg almost made Italy pay in the 37th minute when Thea Bjelde's deflected low cross struck her thigh and dribbled wide in front of an open goal. Girelli finally gave Italy their deserved lead by prodding home Cantore's mishit shot, but going behind seemed to wake Norway up and as she did in their first Group A match against Switzerland, Hegerberg both won and then shot wide a penalty. The former Ballon d'Or winner made up for her horrendous mistake six minutes later when she pounced on hesitant goalkeeping from Laura Giuliani to poke home the leveller. Both teams traded blows from that point but it looked like extra time was nailed on until Girelli struck at the last, perfectly guiding home Cantore's searching cross and giving Italy a date with one of the tournament favourites in the next round.
Int'l Business Times
17-07-2025
- Sport
- Int'l Business Times
Girelli Fires Italy Past Norway And Into Euro 2025 Semis
Cristiana Girelli shot Italy into the semi-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Wednesday with a brace, including a last-gasp winner, in the Azzurre's historic 2-1 triumph over Norway. Italy will play one of holders England or Sweden in the last four next Tuesday after Girelli headed home the decisive goal in the final minute in Geneva from Sofia Cantore's cross. The Italians hadn't reached last four of a Euros since losing the final to Germany in 1997 and will be a tough nut to crack after seeing off Norway, who have two of the women's game's biggest stars in Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen. "Cantore gave me an incredible ball for the second goal. She looked up, saw where I was and just put it on my head, so it was easy for me to put it in the goal," said Girelli. "I didn't realise how close we were to the end of the match... I still can't believe it, to tell you the truth, I can't believe it, it's just magnificent." Hegerberg, who also missed a penalty, netted for the Norwegians in the 66th minute after Girelli opened the scoring five minutes after half-time. Juventus forward Girelli has now scored 61 times for her country, with Wednesday's double probably the most important goals of her career. She is also the oldest woman to score more than once in a women's Euros at the age 35 years and 84 days. The Norwegians were pioneers of modern women's football and the first country to win the World Cup, European Championship and Olympics but have fallen behind since triumphing at the Sydney Games. Now managed by Gemma Grainger, Norway haven't reached the semi-finals of a major tournament since losing the final of the 2013 Euros. Italy were the better side for large chunks of the match but continued to squander chances just as they did while qualifying from Group B behind Spain. Arianna Caruso was the the first to fluff her lines in the ninth minute when after bundling her way into the penalty area she scuffed a great opportunity wide. Girelli then stopped Emma Severini from heading home Barbara Bonansea's inviting cross in the 20th minute by challenging for the same ball even though she had little chance of getting an effort on target. And moments later Severini hit a weak shot at Norway goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand after being sent clean through by Caruso's superb first-time pass. Hegerberg almost made Italy pay in the 37th minute when Thea Bjelde's deflected low cross struck her thigh and dribbled wide in front of an open goal. Girelli finally gave Italy their deserved lead by prodding home Cantore's mishit shot, but going behind seemed to wake Norway up and as she did in their first Group A match against Switzerland, Hegerberg both won and then shot wide a penalty. The former Ballon d'Or winner made up for her horrendous mistake six minutes later when she pounced on hesitant goalkeeping from Laura Giuliani to poke home the leveller. Both teams traded blows from that point but it looked like extra time was nailed on until Girelli struck at the last, perfectly guiding home Cantore's searching cross and giving Italy a date with one of the tournament favourites in the next round.
The 42
16-07-2025
- Sport
- The 42
Girelli fires Italy past Norway and into Euro 2025 semis
Updated at 22.23 CRISTIANA GIRELLI shot Italy into the semi-finals of Women's Euro 2025 on Wednesday with a brace, including a last-gasp winner, in the Azzurre's historic 2-1 triumph over Norway. Italy will play one of the holders, England or Sweden, in the last four next Tuesday after Girelli headed home the decisive goal in the final minute in Geneva. The Italians hadn't reached the last four of the Euros since losing the final to Germany in 1997, and will be a tough nut to crack after seeing off Norway, who have two of the women's game's biggest stars in Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen. Hegerberg, who also missed a penalty, netted for the Norwegians in the 66th minute after Girelli opened the scoring five minutes after half-time. Advertisement Juventus forward Girelli, 35, has now scored 61 times for her country, with Wednesday's double probably the most important goals of her career. The Norwegians were pioneers of modern women's football and the first country to win the World Cup, European Championship and Olympics, but have fallen behind since triumphing at the Sydney Games. Now managed by Gemma Grainger, Norway haven't reached the semi-finals of a major tournament since losing the final of the 2013 Euros. Italy were the better side for large chunks of the match, but continued to squander chances just as they did while qualifying from Group B behind Spain. Arianna Caruso was the first to fluff her lines in the ninth minute when, after bundling her way into the penalty area, she scuffed a great opportunity wide. Girelli then stopped Emma Severini from heading home Barbara Bonansea's inviting cross in the 20th minute by challenging for the same ball even though she had little chance of getting an effort on target. And moments later, Severini hit a weak shot at Norway goalkeeper Cecilie Fiskerstrand after being sent clean through by Caruso's superb first-time pass. And Hegerberg almost made Italy pay in the 37th minute when Thea Bjelde's deflected low cross struck her thigh and dribbled wide in front of an open goal. Girelli finally gave Italy their deserved lead by prodding home Sofia Cantore's mishit shot, but going behind seemed to wake Norway up, and as she did in their first Group A match against Switzerland, Hegerberg both won and then shot wide a penalty. The former Ballon d'Or winner made up for her horrendous mistake six minutes later when she pounced on hesitant goalkeeping from Laura Giuliani to poke home the leveller. Both teams traded blows from that point, but it looked like extra time was nailed on until Girelli struck at the last, perfectly guiding home Cantore's searching cross and giving Italy a date with one of the tournament favourites in the next round. – © AFP 2025
