The 19-year-old Norwegian women’s national team beat the French defender and are ready for the final of the European Championship. It was the first time since 2011, and then big profiles like Guro Reiten, Caroline Graham Hansen and Ada Hegerberg attended.

The latter from the start congratulated the team on their place in the finals on Twitter, and Hegerberg revealed to NRK that he has been following the team closely and offering his best advice.

– I’ve participated in J19 myself and it’s important to deliver at that age there. We’ve had dialogue with them and asked them to realize that it’s prestigious, but at the same time not overemphasized. But they dropped their shoulders and showed their quality, said Hegerberg.

Managed to follow Hegerberg’s suggestion

Hegerberg is in England making final preparations with the women’s national team ahead of their opening game against Northern Ireland on Thursday. His support for the younger national team means a lot.

– First of all, it’s really cool that you know that they follow. And he’s one of the best footballers in the world, so that’s great, said captain Julie Aune Jorde.

– What advice did Hegerberg give?

– First of all, he wished us good luck, and said that it was these games that were fun. And then we must dare to try and be ourselves. We did well today so good advice to take us further.

Praised by the experts

Because against the favorite team France, team Norway and Hege Riise did everything right. Catthinka Tandberg’s lightning cross after 52 minutes ended in the net following an awkward maneuver by French centre-back Éloïse Sévenne. Thus, the semifinals ended 1-0 in favor of Norway.

NRK football pundit Carl-Erik Torp has been very impressed with what the J19 national team showed in the Czech Republic after a rather sluggish start in the first group stage game against England.

– It seems you don’t understand it. If we look at the countries that are there and Norway is growing fast, it’s really fantastic. I would never have thought that, he said and continued:

– There are always individual players who stand out, but the foundation here is the spirit and belief within the group that really counts. The game plan they have set and the entrance to the last three matches has been absolutely flawless.

Think Spain can be beaten

A tough final against Spain awaits on Saturday. Hopefully that final goes much better than it did in 2011, when Hegerberg and his teammates lost 1–8 against Germany.

Norway’s last stronghold, Selma Panengstuen, has great confidence that Norway can become European champions.

– I think it’s very possible. I know Spain is very good, but they drew against France. So anything is possible. They probably should have done better, but so did the French and the Germans and the British and the rest of the gang too. So I think it’s going to be a very good match, the Kolbotn goalkeeper told NRK.

• You can watch the J19 final between Norway and Spain at NRK 1 at 13.50 on Saturday.