Women’s Soccer in Norway: A History

Hooligan Soccer

·20 April 2025

Women’s Soccer in Norway: A History

Norway, along with their Nordic neighbors Sweden and Denmark, has had their share of success in women’s soccer. Much of this success stemmed from core Norwegian principals of togetherness and humility. But recently, turmoil has rocked the sport.

Beginnings

The story begins in the 1920s when women and girls were seen playing football in local communities. Moss Ladies are said to have played two games in 1921. One versus a men’s side and another against a women’s team. Famous ice skater of the time Sonia Henie played for a side once watched by Crown Prince Olav V . The game ended in a draw but was awarded to Henie’s side because of their play style.

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In 1931 IF Fløya sent a request to the Norwegian FA to start a national team. The request was rejected and the Women’s Game banned; football was viewed as a sport for ‘strong and powerful men’.

The ban was lifted in 1978 and a national team was formed to compete in the defunct Nordic Football Championship. The tournament was created in 1974 and initially included Denmark, Finland and Sweden. Norway’s first official match ended in a 2-1 defeat to Sweden where Kari Nielsn became the nation’s first female goalscorer. In five unique Championships Norway did not manage to win a single game; playing sixteen, drawing six and losing ten.

Similar to other movements at the time, the 70s birthed an anti-authoritarian movement that spread across Scandinavia. The movement intended to alter the perception of how women should be portrayed in daily life and society. Norwegian women had grown tired of gender roles, wanting to be more active in society.

Formation

The movement, in part, gave life to regional leagues. The Runar League; set up by Runar Sports Club was a local league based in Eastern Norway. In 1973 the first regional league was formed for teams in Western Norway by the Rogaland FA. The competition consisted of six teams and was first won by Haugar. Glåmdal FA subsequently formed a southern-based league in 1975, creating a domino effect in central, western and northern Norway.

Pressure, internal and international led to the Norway FA accepting Women’s Soccer in 1976. In 1982 the NFA signed a sponsorship deal. The deal would further increase finances, popularity and thus better conditions for aspiring soccer players.

The Golden Years

The 80s saw the ascendance of Norway, not only in Scandinavia but Europe. Qualification for the inaugral 1984 UEFA Women’s European Championship started in 1982. Norway finished second in their group, failing to qualify owing to passage for the group winners.

The first league season under the NFA took place in 1984. The league consisted of thirty teams split up into three groups of ten. The three winners then play each other. Sprint/Jeløy became the first winners of the division after beating Trondheims-Ørn (Rosenborg) and Nymark. Throughout the 80s and into the 90s Trondheims-Ørn, Sprint/Jeløy and Asker established themselves as the best in the country and consistently supplied the Norwegian national team

Qualification for the 1987 European Competition for Women’s Football ran between September 1984 and October 1986. Norway as hosts qualified for the semi-final stage, winning three and drawing three, Norway played Italy and England faced Sweden. The two Nordic sides progressed to play each other in the final. Norway finally got one over their neighbours with a 2-1 victory to win their first piece of silverware. The following two final stages ended with silver medals, losing to West Germany in 1989 and a reunified Germany in 1991.

In 1988 FIFA organised a tournament to take place in China between the 1st-12th June, considering it a test to see if a Women’s World Cup would be feasible. The tournament included twelve teams, including teams from each continent. Pitted up against Brazil, Thailand and Australia, the European champions finished behind the South Americans, leading to a quarter-final. 1-0 and 2-1 victories over the USA and the Brazilians lead to another showdown between Sweden and Norway. The Norwegians defeated their neighbours 1-0 courtesy of Linda Medalen’s strength and composed right boot.

World Cup, Euros & Olympics

The inaugural Women’s World Cup in November 1991 was held in China. Coming off a silver medal in Euro 91’ expectations had peaked. Soccer had changed since the late 70s with the emergence of nations such as the USA, China Brazil and Germany emerging as heavyweights. Norway recovered second spot following a 4-0 defeat against the Chinse on the opening day. An extra-time victory versus the Italians and a 4-1 victory against a left- behind Swedish unit set up a dance with the Americans. The physical prowess proved too much for the Norwegians who were said to have more control of the ball and not the game.

Defeat in the final of the World Cup would not deter Norway. Amid a golden generation, the likes of Hege Riise and Heidi Støre dusted themselves off to ensure qualification for Euro 93’. Norway strolled into the tournament proper, scoring thirty, conceding none in six games. Arriving with Denmark and Germany to Italy, Euro 91’ finalists, Norway and holders Germany were the favourites to lift the trophy. So when Germany lost on penalties to Italy, Norway had a chance to regain their title. In front of 7,000 mostly Italians, Norway lifted their second European crown.

Norway lost 7-5 in two legs to Sweden in the semi-finals of the 1995 Euros. This heartbreak however landed them next door for the 1995 World Cup in Sweden. Norway’s group included England, Canada and Nigeria. Nine points from nine were expected and collected. Denmark was next. A routine 3-1 victory set up a meeting with the USA.

Ann Kristin Aarønes’ 10th-minute header sufficed for a ticket to the final despite Heidi Støre’s late second yellow card. Stockholm would be the venue for the second FIFA Women’s World Cup Final. A scrappy game with plenty of long balls and headers was interrupted by the finesse of Hege Riise who nutmegged one and avoided another to place the ball in the bottom right corner. The second came four minutes later in the 41st minute after a back and forth, Germany lost the ball in defence leading to a rebounded shot falling to Marianne Pettersen. The Norwegians saw out the two-goal lead and subsequently lifted their first and only World Cup.

2000s

Following bronze at the 96 Olympics, a group stage exit at Euro 97’, and fourth place at World Cup 99’, Norway entered the 21st century looking to improve upon the last half-decade. Qualification was secured by their fourth-place finish in 99’. Norway’s first game in Australia ended in defeat to the USA; two goals in six minutes from Tiffeny Milbrett and Hamm. The next game against Nigeria became paramount. A 3-1 victory set up a do-or-die game against China who had taken four points after two games. A seemingly attritional match according to reports. Norway tiptoed past thanks to the prolific Marianne Pettersen and Margunn Haugenes’ twenty-five-yard strike.

Germany, who had won the Euros in Oslo three years earlier were next. Tina Wunderlich’s own goal ten minutes from time sent Norway to the final to face the USA once again. The final was an interesting matchup. Two direct sides with differing tenets. Norway preferred to play through the centre and the US through the wings. USA took the lead after five minutes but was pegged back shortly before the break. Gulbrandsen headed Norway in front before Milbrett completed her brace in the 90th minute. Extra time ensued, only for twelve minutes however as Dagny Mellgren’s golden goal won Norway their first gold medal.

Today

The 2010s and 2020s have been difficult for Norwegian soccer. Despite having multiple world-class players in their ranks they have not progressed past the quarter-final stage of any tournament. Ada Hegeberg, the first female recipient of the Ballon d’Or, stepped away from the national team in 2017 citing a lack of respect from Norway’s FA. Winger Caroline Graham Hasen has publicly expressed her dissatisfaction with the coaching staff’s methods. The team as a whole have had to go to war with the FA around the subject of equal pay. All of these factors have led to a lack of cohesion on the pitch, most acutely felt in an 8-0 defeat to England at Euro 2022.

Norway’s club football has never been the most competitive internationally. Kolboth (06/07) and Rosenborg (04/05) are the only teams to have reached the Women’s Champions League semi-finals. One sprout of hope for Norway comes from Bergen club SK Brann. In the 23/24 edition, SK Brann played attractive high-pressure football, making them tough to contain. Taking their European bow, SK Brann finished a point behind Lyon and held the eight-time winners to a home draw. Barcelona proved too strong in the quarter-finals, although the Catalans had a difficult time breaking down their compact unit.