Women’s Euro 2025: Azzurre Test for Storming Norwegians

Norway vs Italy

The Women’s Euro 2025 knockout phase kicks off Wednesday at the Stade de Geneve as Norway and Italy come face to face with a last four place at stake.

While Gemma Grainger’s Norway stormed Group A registering three wins from three; with four points from three games, Andrea Soncin’s Italy squeezed through Group B in second place. This is a well matched clash between two contrasting sides. English coach Granger is making her tournament debut but she is leading a team with experience and flair, which has been scoring for fun.

Of course tournament favourites Spain are aiming for a Grand Slam of trophies, with the World Cup and UEFA Nations League already in their locker, but Norway is one of the teams which could spoil La Roja’s party.

I wouldn’t rule out Italy either. The Azzurre lost its last group game to Spain but they have proved to be a hard nut to crack and will be a good match for the ambitious Norwegians on Wednesday.  

 

Talking Points

Hegerberg leads Goal happy Norway

With a 4-3 win over Iceland and 2-1 victories against Finland and hosts Switzerland the Norwegians have recorded a perfect set of Women’s Euros 2025 results so far, and their fans believe they can go deep into this competition. Just two wins away from a final appearance Granger’s side has plenty of firepower and quality in its ranks.   

Captained by 2018 Ballon D’Or Feminin winner Ada Hegerberg this is a team with a potent attacking unit. The 30 year old Lyon striker has scored 50 goals in 93 internationals and an amazing 174 in 166 games for her club side. She had a five year absence from the Norway team due to a dispute with the nation’s FA but Hegerberg is now an inspiration to her team-mates and is one of the best goal scorers in the game.

This is a team full of goals with Arsenal’s Frida Maanum and 20 year old Brann midfielder Signa Gaupset scoring two each, while the exciting Gaupset has two assists to boot.  

 

Italy’s case for the defence   

The Azzurre had a really tough examination in a group containing the hot favourites, Spain, according to the Women’s Euros 2025 betting odds. But they scrapped through with a 1-0 win over Belgium and a 1-1 draw with Portugal before falling 3-1 to La Roja.   

Cristiana Girelli scored a beauty of a goal in the draw with Portugal, worthy of winning the match but a late equaliser meant the Azzurre navigated the group stage with just the one win. And while a 3-1 defeat to La Roja is no disgrace Soncin’s side were devilishly difficult to break down as Belgium and Portugal will testify.

Roma right back Lucia Di Guglielmo is a class act while Juventus Lisa Boattin, also 28 years of age, patrols the left flank with her Bianconeri team-mate Martina Lenzini at centre back. Much like the Italy men’s team this is a squad dominated by the Italian top league with the giants of Juve, Inter and Roma providing a solid core.    

 

History

Norway exited the 2022 Euros at group stage with a humiliating 8-0 defeat to England in the process. But they were once powerhouses of women’s football, winning two European championships and reaching six finals between 1987 and 2000, and now Granger is trying to bring back the glory days.

Italy also crashed out at the group stage in the 2022 Euros and they have already gone one better and, as Euro finalists in 1993 an 1997, they too have a rich pedigree in the game.

With four wins, one draw and one defeat the Norwegians come into the clash in good form while Italy have won three, drawn two and lost one. And the Scandi side has had the better of the head to head clashes with two wins to one and there have been two draws in the previous five encounters. In fact, on both occasions when they met in 2024 the two teams played out a draw 

 

Betting Tip

With Italy at 13^th and Norway at 16^th in the latest FIFA World Rankings there is not a lot to divide these two teams and the SBOTOP odds bear that out. Norway can be backed at 2.57 while Italy are slightly shorter at a price of 2.31; and I can see a repeat of the last two outcomes and a draw in 90 minutes. For a correct score-line, 1-1 at odds of 5.32 is the most likely outcome and, with the Azzurre’s defence in decent form, that makes a lot of sense. But if you believe the attacks can be on top, and Norway’s front line has been dominant so far, then 2-2 is priced at 15.40.

   

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