Norway Secures Spot in Knockout Stage with Victory Over Iceland
ZURICH — Maren Mjelde stood ready to sing Norway’s national anthem for the 180th time as her team prepared for the Euro 2025 opening match against hosts Switzerland on July 2. This performance held special significance for her, as it marked her ninth major tournament appearance and provided a moment of personal reflection.
Only three months earlier, the 35-year-old defender had suffered a partial Achilles tear and was told that her chances of participating in the tournament were slim. Nonetheless, like she had done in 2022 when faced with a knee injury that raised doubts about her ability to walk again, the motivation to represent her country at such a pivotal event pushed her through the pain and surprised medical experts.
Mjelde’s legacy as one of Norway’s finest players was established long before Euro 2025 commenced. She began her professional career at Arna-Bjørnar, before moving to clubs in Germany, Sweden, and Norway, ultimately joining Chelsea in 2017. During her time with Chelsea, she made 140 appearances, earned six Women’s Super League titles, and won four FA Cups, all while being hailed as “a Rolls Royce of a footballer” by the legendary Emma Hayes. Following her stint at Chelsea, she returned to Arna-Bjørnar and briefly played for Everton.
Since her debut for the national team 18 years ago, Mjelde has been a standout player, consistently serving as a reliable force, including a decade as captain. As Norway gears up for a quarterfinal clash against Italy, Mjelde is just seven caps away from surpassing Hege Riise’s record as her country’s all-time most-capped player.
From Humble Beginnings
Mjelde credits her early career at Arna-Bjørnar for her development. She began playing soccer with her brother and his friends, initially joining a boys’ team. By the age of 14, her talent caught the attention of Norway’s under-17 women’s team. Despite her prowess on the soccer field, she initially leaned towards handball during her college years.
She juggled both sports for a while, participating in handball in the mornings and soccer training in the evenings. However, after making her senior national debut against Russia at the age of 17 in 2007, she decided to commit fully to soccer, realizing that her handball style was too physically demanding for a long-term football career.
Remarkably, just two years later, amid turmoil when five senior players boycotted the team due to issues with the then-coach, Mjelde was quickly promoted to the senior squad for Euro 2009.
Norway confidently reached the semifinals in that tournament but fell to Germany, a team that had claimed six consecutive Euros between 1995 and 2013. In Euro 2013, Norway once again reached the final, only to be defeated by the same opponents.
“That experience is probably my top memory with the national team,” Mjelde shared with ESPN. “We had an exceptional group of players and a strict coach who provided us with a clear plan. Despite uncertainties, we succeeded in reaching the final, a testament to our plan and teamwork.”
Overcoming Adversity
Moments of injury have marked Mjelde’s career as well, with one pivotal incident occurring during the Conti Cup final against Bristol City on March 14, 2021. Despite only being expected to play a limited role, she sustained a serious knee injury that left her in excruciating pain and in a challenging recovery process.
“I couldn’t walk properly for months,” Mjelde recalled. “Doubt plagued me daily; I feared I might never play again. Thankfully, I had a strong support system around me to keep me motivated.” After much effort, she returned to the pitch, successfully playing in Norway’s first and third group matches in Euro 2025 against Switzerland and Iceland, respectively.
With a perfect record from the group stage, Norway now looks ahead to their matchup with Italy in the quarterfinals, feeling optimistic about their chances of advancing to the semifinals.
Despite the presence of notable players like Caroline Graham Hansen and Ada Hegerberg, Norway has not experienced the success of past years. Mjelde insists that while the competition has become stiffer over time, there is a hopeful atmosphere within the squad that this year could lead to significant achievements.
As for the prospect of competing in another World Cup at 37, Mjelde laughs it off: “A tenth major tournament? We’ll see.” Her journey to nine tournaments has involved overcoming numerous challenges, shaping a remarkable career.
“I cherish every moment I’ve experienced,” she said, reflecting on the journey. “From playing in front of a few thousand people in 2009 to competing in larger venues today. Captaining Norway for a decade has been an incredible privilege. Although we’ve faced ups and downs, I wouldn’t change a thing.”