Here are the teams in the match starting at 9:00:

Norway (4-5-1):

23 Aurora Mikalsen – 13 Thea Bjelde, 6 Maren Mjelde (captain), 16 Mathilde Harviken, 4 Tuva Hansen – 10 Caroline Graham Hansen, 18 Frida Maanum, 7 Ingrid Syrstad Engen, 11 Guro Reiten, 17 Julie Blakstad – 14 Ada Hegerberg.

Subs: 1 Cecilie Fiskerstrand, 12 Guro Pettersen – 2 Anja Sønstevold, 3 Sara Hørte, 5 Guro Bergsvand, 8 Vilde Bøe Risa, 9 Karina Sævik, 15 Amalie Eikeland, 19 Marit Bratberg Lund, 20 Emilie Haavi, 21 Anna Jøsendal, 22 Sophie Roman Haug.

New Zealand (4-5-1):

21 Victoria Esson – 4 CJ Bott, 13 Rebekah Stott, 14 Katie Bowen, 7 Ali Riley (captain) – 20 Indiah-Paige Riley, 12 Betsy Hassett, 2 Ria Percival, 6 Malia Steinmetz, 16 Jacqui Hand – 17 Hannah Wilkinson.

Subs: 1 Erin Nayler, 23 Anna Leat – 3 Claudia Bunge, 5 Michaele Foster, 8 Daisey Cleverley, 9 Gabi Rennie, 10 Annalie Longo, 11 Olivia Chance, 15 Paige Satchell, 18 Grace Jale, 19 Elizabeth Anton, 22 Milly Clegg.

Referee: Yoshimi Yamashita, Japan.

The same eleven

Hege Riise thus gave credence to the same eleven players who started Sunday’s unofficial international against Portugal, which was played behind closed doors. Norway won the match 2-1.

In connection with the last official international match against Sweden (3-3) in April, Caroline Graham Hansen returned and pushed Emilie Haavi to the bench. Ingrid Syrstad Engen reclaimed her position as midfield anchor from Vilde Bøe Risa, while Julie Blakstad played on the left wing instead of Anna Jøsendal, whom she replaced at half-time in Gothenburg.

Graham Hansen played his 99th international match, but his first since Norway were knocked out of the EC in England one year and four days ago. He took a break from the national team after EC, and his return was delayed due to injury. Now he is back and increasingly strengthening a team with many big profiles from top European clubs.

[ Graham Hansen: – VM-seier ville vært det største ]

Drama

Norwegians got their day off to a dramatic start when they were awakened by the sound of a massive police operation following a shooting incident at a building right near the hotel. There were sirens and helicopters, but team captain Maren Mjelde said in a statement to Norwegian media that they felt safe at all times. The shooting incident claimed the lives of three people, including the perpetrator.

Heavy rain is expected during the match. According to local meteorologists, the temperature may be approaching dangerous warning levels.

According to the New Zealand Herald, the home team was delayed 20 minutes due to traffic jams on the way to the stadium.

[ Tre døde i skyteepisode ved Norges spillerhotell – VM fortsetter som planlagt ]

Never win

New Zealand has participated in five previous Women’s World Cup finals but has never won a match. Three draws were recorded as the best in the 15 matches played. The team has also managed just four wins in 25 matches under current national team manager Jitka Klimkova. The team started with the same 11 players that recently beat Vietnam 2-0. It was the team’s first win in 11 games.

New Zealand has participated in five previous Women’s World Cup finals but has never won a match. Three draws were recorded as the best in the 15 matches played. The team has also managed just four wins in 25 matches under current national team manager Jitka Klimkova.

Norway are participating in their ninth World Cup and have won 25 of their previous 40 play-off matches, including six of six when they won the gold medal in 1995 with Hege Riise the biggest player in the championship.

[ Norges nye landslagsepoke starter med et klart VM-krav ]