Arianna Caruso wants to make history with Italy. © APA/afp / MIGUEL MEDINA

Italy's women's football compared with Norway

Italy will face Norway in the Women's European Championship quarterfinals on Wednesday (21.00:2013 PM). This will be the first knockout phase for both teams since XNUMX.

July 15, 2025

From: dpa/dl

Norway has remained undefeated in Group A with three wins, while the Azzurre have recorded just one victory and are the only team in the last eight with a negative goal difference. Nevertheless, their ambitions are high. The team wants to "be in it until the end," said coach Andrea Soncin.

Norway is a major player in women's football, and the sport is deeply rooted in the population. The Scandinavian country won the European Championship in 1987 and 1993, when the winners were determined in a few knockout rounds and without a group stage. The Norwegians last reached the final in 2013 in Sweden. Captain Ada Hegerberg was already there at the age of 18, as were Caroline Graham Hansen and Maren Mjelde.

Long Italian dry spell

The situation is quite different for their opponents, Italy. The women's national team was one of the first in Europe to play international matches. Furthermore, the Italians are the only team to have participated in every European Championship since 1984. The big but: Unlike the men, who have won four world championships and two European championships, the women are still without a title. Of the two final losses, the 0-1 defeat at the 1993 European Championships at home – against Norway – was particularly painful. After that, women's football in Italy stagnated.

Italy last reached a European Championship final in 1993. © APA/afp / SEBASTIEN BOZON

In the six tournaments prior to the current European Championship, Italy reached the quarterfinals twice and were eliminated in the group stage four times. With Soncin appointed after the 2023 World Cup, however, the team is now looking to make a breakthrough. In the group stage, they recorded a 1-0 win over arch-rivals Belgium, a draw against Portugal, and a 1-3 defeat to favorites Spain. "We showed that the gap to the top nations has narrowed," Soncin concluded.

“We know Norway well”

Italy faces Norway, the weakest-rated group winner. "We know Norway well, and we believe we can advance if we make the most of the resources we have at our disposal – while enjoying the moment," said Soncin. "We've shown throughout the competition that we have character as a team. It's important to show our character in these matches," said striker Sofia Cantore.

South Tyrolean Eva Schatzer is still waiting for her first European Championship appearance. © APA/afp / MIGUEL MEDINA

"For me, their strength is their individual class; they have some very good individual players. Defensively, they are very well organized, as you would expect from an Italian team, with a strong back five. Upfront, they like to have a lot of players in the penalty area," said Norwegian coach Gemma Grainger, describing the Italian team ahead of the clash in Geneva. The winners will face either Sweden or England in the semifinals next Tuesday.