UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 Quarter-Final Preview: Norway vs. Italy

The knockout stage of the UEFA Women’s EURO 2025 begins with a compelling quarter-final matchup between Norway and Italy, held at the Stade de Genève in Geneva, Switzerland. Kick-off is scheduled for 9:00 PM CEST (3:00 PM ET) on July 16, 2025.

Norway arrives as Group A winners with a perfect record, while Italy advanced as Group B runners-up. This clash rekindles memories of the 1993 EURO final, where Norway edged Italy 1–0. Notably, it’s the first time since 2013 that both teams have reached the quarter-finals—setting up a high-stakes battle for a place in the semifinals.

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Predicted Starting Lineups
(Subject to change based on official match sheets)

Team	Formation	Goalkeeper	Defenders	Midfielders	Forwards
Norway	4-3-3	Cecilie Fiskerstrand	Thea Bjelde, Mathilde Harviken, Maren Mjelde, Tuva Hansen	Vilde Bøe Risa, Ingrid Syrstad Engen, Frida Maanum	Caroline Graham Hansen, Ada Hegerberg, Sophie Roman Haug (or Karina Sævik)
Italy	3-5-2	Laura Giuliani	Martina Lenzini, Cecilia Salvai, Elena Linari	Lucia Di Guglielmo, Agnese Bonfantini (or Giugliano), Arianna Caruso, Barbara Bonansea, Lisa Boattin	Cristiana Girelli, Michela Cambiaghi

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Odds to Advance

Sportsbook	Norway	Italy
Bitcoin-Betting	2.100	1.781
Stake	1.98	1.74

Italy enters as a slight favorite, with implied odds suggesting a ~56–57% chance of advancing.

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Head-to-Head Record

• Total Meetings: 9 (competitive) 
• Norway Wins: 5 
• Draws: 3 
• Italy Wins: 1 
• Goals: Norway 14 – 7 Italy 

Recent meetings (2024 EURO Qualifiers): 
– 1–1 draw in Italy 
– 0–0 draw in Norway 

Norway’s last victory was a 2–1 friendly in 2018.

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How They Got Here

🇳🇴 Norway – Group A Winners (9 pts)

• Norway 2–0 Switzerland (Goals: Hegerberg, OG) 
• Norway 2–1 Finland (Goals: Hansen, OG) 
• Norway 1–0 Netherlands (Goal: Hansen) 

Three wins, five goals scored, only one conceded. Norway’s stars Hegerberg and Hansen have been crucial in their return to form.

🇮🇹 Italy – Group B Runners-Up (4 pts)

• Portugal 1–1 Italy (Goal: Girelli) 
• Italy 2–0 Belgium (Goals: Bonansea, Cambiaghi) 
• Italy 1–3 Spain (Goal: Caruso) 

Italy advanced ahead of Belgium on goal difference. Solid in midfield, but vulnerable against stronger sides.

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Injuries and Team News

Norway: 
– Marit Bratberg Lund is suspended (yellow card accumulation) 
– Maren Mjelde is fit and available 
– Hegerberg and Hansen are fully rested and ready

Italy: 
– Giulia Dragoni is out (ligament injury) 
– Girelli is expected to start after coming off the bench vs Spain 
– Lenzini, Giugliano, Di Guglielmo, and Cantore are one yellow away from suspension

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Predicted Score: Norway 2 – 1 Italy

Norway’s firepower, led by Hegerberg and Hansen, may prove too much for Italy’s defense. Italy can pose threats on the counter, but Norway’s big-game experience gives them the edge in this close knockout clash.