Tournament exit for Norway: Italians storm into the European Championship semi-finals

Tournament exit for Norway Italians storm into the European Championship semifinals 16.07.2025, 23:43

A goal in the last minute of regular time gives Italy its first European Championship semifinal appearance in 28 years. Norway's Ada Hegerberg misses another penalty.

The dream of a title is alive: Italy, thanks to a brace from Cristiana Girelli, surprisingly stormed into the semifinals of the Women's European Championship. The captain fired the Azzurre to a deserved 2-1 (0-0) win against the favored Norwegians in the quarterfinals. After a determined performance, Italy is now in the semifinals of the European Championship for the first time in 28 years.

While Norway's superstar Ada Hegerberg experienced drama despite scoring to temporarily level the score at 1-1 (66th minute), Girelli (50th, 90th) made Italy celebrate with her goals. "This is so indescribable, so beautiful," said Italy coach Andrea Soncin on ZDF: "This is simply the greatest gift we can give ourselves and the girls who play football with passion can give themselves." And Hegerberg added: "It's sad, very sad. But I have to honestly say that I'm proud of the team and our performance."

In the battle for a place in the final, Girelli and his team will face the winner of the Sweden-England match (Thursday, 9:00 p.m./ARD and DAZN). The German team will face France in their quarterfinal on Saturday (9:00 p.m./ZDF and DAZN).

Norway's idol Hegerberg disappointed

Norway had marched through the group stage with three wins, but in Geneva, Italy suddenly set the tone. More pace, more ideas, more aggression – Andrea Soncin's team had some really good opportunities early on through FC Bayern's Arianna Caruso (8') and Emma Severini (22').

For a long time, Norway appeared unusually inhibited and sluggish, but then, out of nowhere, captain Hegerberg missed a chance to take the lead (37th minute). And later, a weakly taken penalty that could have equalized (60th minute). These were telling scenes, given that the idol has been in a state of flux at home recently. Despite a flawless group stage, Hegerberg was already under heavy criticism before the match, with experts and the media even calling for the 30-year-old to be dropped from the starting lineup – but coach Gemma Grainger once again placed her trust in the Olympique Lyonnais center forward.

After the tournament's elimination, the debate is likely to intensify, but like Hegerberg, her teammates were also disappointed. Italy simply wanted the win more – and the truly strong Girelli struck with ice-cold precision at the decisive moment.