In Quarter Final 1 of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, Norway, the winners of Group A, will face Italy, the runners-up of Group B, on Wednesday, July 16, at 21:00 CET. The match is set to take place at the Stade de Genève in Geneva, one of Switzerland’s premier stadiums. Norway enters the knockout stage with strong momentum, having topped their group with disciplined defense and dynamic attacking play. Meanwhile, Italy has shown resilience and tactical adaptability throughout the group stage, earning their place in the quarterfinals with determined performances. This encounter promises to be a thrilling clash between Norway’s structured gameplay and Italy’s technical finesse. With a semifinal spot at stake, both teams are expected to give it their all under the lights in Geneva, setting the stage for a high-stakes and emotionally charged contest.
Recent Team Form
A detailed look at the recent form of both teams leading into their Quarter‑Final clash:
Norway
• Group A Matchday 3 (Jul 10): Thrilling 4‑3 win over Iceland, with Signe Gaupset scoring twice and assisting two, helping Norway finish the group with a perfect record of three wins from three.
• Group A Matchday 2 (Jul 6): 2‑1 win vs. Finland thanks to an early own goal and a late strike by Caroline Graham Hansen – the result secured Norway’s progression as group winners.
• Overall Group Stage: Undefeated with 3 wins in 3, showcasing attacking flair and late-game resilience.
• Last 10 Matches: Solid form with 4 wins, 2 draws, 4 losses. Hot streak at tournament, winning all recent Euros matches.
• Form Summary: Team is peaking at the right time—strong in attack, last-minute winners, though occasional defensive lapses (conceding late) hint at vulnerabilities at the back.
Italy
• Group B Performances:
- 1‑0 vs Belgium
- 1‑1 vs Portugal
- 1‑3 vs Spain (final group match) – still enough to secure second place.
• Psychological Edge: Qualification to the knockout stage for the first time since 2013, hailed as a “magical” resurgence by coach Andrea Soncin and players.
• Current Group Stage Record: 1 win, 1 draw, 1 loss; 4 points earned; tight, solid and emotionally charged performances.
• Last 10 Matches: Overall strong: 5 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses; unbeaten away (away wins/draws) but struggled at home.
• Form Summary: Italy enter full of confidence and unity—well-drilled defensively, opportunistic upfront, and mentally buoyant after ending a long knockout drought.
Head‑to‑Head Preview
• Norway: Currently on a roll in the tournament, with three consecutive group wins, explosive attacking play highlighted by stars like Gaupset and Graham Hansen, but occasionally vulnerable at the back.
• Italy: Coming into the quarter‑finals with renewed belief and solid tactical foundations, particularly strong in closed matches—patient, disciplined, and ready to seize chances.
Team Details
The team details for both sides heading into Quarter Final 1 of the UEFA Women’s Euro 2025:
Norway
• Manager: Gemma Grainger
• Captain: Maren Mjelde
• FIFA Ranking: 13 (as of July 2025)
• Formation: 4-3-3 / 4-2-3-1 (flexible with pressing and wide play)
Key Players:
• Caroline Graham Hansen – Dynamic winger with pace and technical brilliance; scored the crucial goal vs Finland.
• Signe Gaupset – Breakout star of the group stage; 2 goals and 2 assists vs Iceland.
• Guro Reiten – Midfield engine, creative outlet and set-piece specialist.
• Maren Mjelde – Veteran defender and leader; anchors the backline.
Goalkeeper:
• Aurora Mikalsen – Strong in reflex saves; vocal presence in the box.
Strengths:
• Attacking depth and creativity, fast transitions, experienced core players.
Weaknesses:
• Occasional defensive lapses late in matches; can struggle against compact defenses.
Italy
• Manager: Andrea Soncin
• Captain: Cristiana Girelli
• FIFA Ranking: 16 (as of July 2025)
• Formation: 4-3-3 / 4-1-4-1 – Emphasizes defensive shape and controlled build-up.
Key Players:
• Cristiana Girelli – Veteran striker and captain; provides experience and composure in attack.
• Arianna Caruso – Versatile midfielder; contributes both defensively and creatively.
• Barbara Bonansea – Key winger with quick feet and intelligent movement.
• Lisa Boattin – Solid left-back with defensive reliability and overlapping ability.
Goalkeeper
• Laura Giuliani – Reliable shot-stopper; strong command over her area.
Strengths:
• Strong defensive discipline, tactical cohesion, effective pressing in midfield.
Weaknesses:
• Struggles with high-tempo sides; scoring inconsistencies in tight matches.
Tactical Outlook
• Norway: Expected to dominate possession and use width; rely on creative midfielders and individual flair up front.
• Italy: Likely to play compact, frustrate Norway with a mid-block, and look for quick breaks or set-piece opportunities.
Predicted Lineups
The predicted starting lineups for Quarter Final 1 of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025:
Norway vs Italy – July 16, 21:00 CET, Stade de Genève
Norway
Position Player
GK Aurora Mikalsen
RB Thea Bjelde
CB Maren Mjelde (C)
CB Mathilde Harviken
LB Tuva Hansen
CM Ingrid Syrstad Engen
CM Guro Reiten
CM Vilde Bøe Risa
RW Caroline Graham Hansen
LW Elisabeth Terland
ST Signe Gaupset
Note : Coach Gemma Grainger may switch between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, depending on the tempo. Gaupset is likely to lead the line after her standout group stage.
Italy
Position Player
GK Laura Giuliani
RB Lucia Di Guglielmo
CB Elena Linari
CB Sara Gama
LB Lisa Boattin
CDM Manuela Giugliano
RM Valentina Bergamaschi
CM Arianna Caruso
CM Martina Rosucci
LM Barbara Bonansea
ST Cristiana Girelli (C)
Note : Coach Andrea Soncin has favored a cautious midfield-heavy structure. Girelli will be the central target, with Bonansea and Caruso driving attacking transitions.
Importance of the Match – Quarter Final 1: Norway vs Italy
This Quarter Final clash holds immense importance for both Norway and Italy, not just in terms of tournament progression, but also in terms of national pride, legacy, and momentum.
For Norway:
• Redemption and Revival: After underwhelming showings in previous major tournaments, Norway has come into Euro 2025 in strong form. A win would mark a significant return to the European elite.
• Golden Generation Potential: With a balanced squad of seasoned internationals like Graham Hansen and emerging stars like Signe Gaupset, Norway aims to capitalize on this blend of talent.
• Tactical Validation: Coach Gemma Grainger’s setup has delivered group-stage success. Advancing to the semi-finals would validate her leadership and tactical direction since taking charge.
For Italy:
• Historic Opportunity: Italy has not reached a Euro semifinal since 2013. A win would mark a major turning point in their women’s football renaissance.
• Morale and National Pride: After years of near-misses, reaching the final four would restore belief and boost support for women’s football across Italy.
• Momentum Shift: With strong group-stage discipline and tactical cohesion, a quarter-final victory would confirm Italy’s growing maturity and competitiveness on the continental stage.
Match Stakes:
• Winner Advances to the Semi-Finals, with a real shot at reaching the final depending on bracket positioning.
• Likely to face another top-tier team, e.g. Spain or Germany in the semis – making this match a vital confidence builder.
• Psychological Edge: Victory here not only boosts team morale but also provides a psychological advantage heading into tougher late-stage fixtures.
Conclusion – Quarter Final 1: Norway vs Italy
As Norway and Italy prepare to clash in the first quarter-final of UEFA Women’s Euro 2025, the stage is set for a thrilling showdown between two ambitious sides with much at stake. Norway enters the match as the more in-form team, boasting a perfect group stage record and a dynamic attack led by rising star Signe Gaupset and veteran Caroline Graham Hansen. Their combination of experience and attacking depth makes them slight favorites.
Italy, however, should not be underestimated. With a well-organized defensive structure, tactical discipline, and the leadership of Cristiana Girelli, they have proven to be resilient under pressure. Having qualified for the knockout stage for the first time in over a decade, the Italians carry both momentum and motivation to make history.
Ultimately, this quarter-final promises to be a high-intensity, closely fought battle, where the outcome could hinge on a single moment of brilliance or a crucial defensive stand. Whether it’s Norway continuing their dominant run or Italy pulling off a tactical upset, the match is poised to deliver drama, emotion, and elite-level football on the European stage.
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