Julie Nelson Reflects on Northern Ireland’s History with Norway Ahead of Euro 2025 Play-off

Julie Nelson, who played a key role in Northern Ireland’s journey to the Euro 2022 finals, possesses extensive knowledge of the challenge posed by Norway. She has experienced every aspect, from triumphs to setbacks, when competing against one of the world’s top teams. Norway has been a consistent presence throughout Northern Ireland’s evolution from underdogs to record-breakers, with the two nations clashing seven times over an 11-year span. Their next encounter will add another chapter to this history, as they meet in a play-off to secure a spot in the Euro 2025 finals in Switzerland. On paper, Norway presents a formidable opponent. They are ranked 29 positions higher than Northern Ireland and achieved a decisive 14-0 aggregate victory over Albania in their initial play-off. Furthermore, in their three most recent matches against Northern Ireland, contested between 2019 and 2022, Norway held a significant 16-1 aggregate advantage. “Northern Ireland love being the underdogs,” stated Nelson, who earned the last of her record 130 caps in 2022. “We’ve been used to that over the years. It is a massive task but anything is possible in football.” For Northern Ireland to potentially overcome one of European football’s powerhouses, they might need to draw upon the spirit of 2011, from a chilly November afternoon in Lurgan. That evening marked the international debut of Ada Hegerberg, who would later become a Ballon d’Or winner, at the age of 16. However, it was Northern Ireland that celebrated a memorable 3-1 victory. “I don’t think it’s one that she remembers but it’s one we definitely remember,” said Nelson, 39. “It was incredible. At that stage Norway were ranked second in Europe and no-one was giving us a chance at beating them. It was something special.” Norway subsequently won the return fixture in that campaign 2-0. The teams were drawn together again in 2019 World Cup qualifying, where the Norwegians triumphed 4-1 in Fredrikstad and 3-0 in Portadown in 2018. The following year, Norway visited Belfast for Kenny Shiels’ first match as manager in the Euro 2022 qualifiers. Norway displayed their ruthless efficiency, securing a 6-0 victory. The identical scoreline was repeated in Oslo the subsequent month, as Northern Ireland adapted to a new playing style. After Northern Ireland achieved a remarkable qualification for the finals, their paths intersected once more on a historic summer evening in Southampton. This was Northern Ireland’s inaugural match at a women’s major tournament, and it was fitting that Norway, a familiar opponent over the years, provided the opposition. While their journey to the finals was a fairytale, the match began disastrously as Norway quickly established a 3-0 lead at St Mary’s. Barcelona star Caroline Graham Hansen – whom Nelson identifies as the finest player she has ever faced – scored her ninth goal against Northern Ireland, and Guro Reiten registered her fifth goal in as many matches. As Nelson described, “we were like rabbits in the headlights”. “They were ruthless and if you give them any opportunities they will score at will,” recalled Nelson. “Then we had a bit of a team talk on the pitch.” This intervention appeared effective, as the underdogs regrouped and secured a memorable goal when Nelson connected with Rachel Furness’ powerful shot driven back across the goal. Nelson scored Northern Ireland’s first goal at a major tournament against Norway in 2022. Nelson managed to guide the ball with just enough precision for it to cross the goal line. Following a brief VAR check, the stadium erupted in celebration as the goal was confirmed. “Furney still says it was a cross but we’ll leave that up for debate. Thankfully I was able to react in time to get my head on the ball. The place erupted,” Nelson recounted. “It was a really special occasion for myself, my family were there and it was special for the whole team, with the landmark for Northern Ireland football.” She added, “It’s still a bit surreal seeing it going in. It’s something I’ll not tire of watching, especially seeing the reaction from my team-mates and fans.” Nelson believes there has been significant progress in women’s football in Northern Ireland since her goal and the memorable summer of 2022. She highlights the “landmark” introduction of equal pay, which ensures parity between the women’s and men’s national teams. In her capacity as a coach with the Irish FA, she expresses enthusiasm for the emerging generation of players. “Most of them will have taken it up off the back of us qualifying and competing at those Euros. Long may it continue and hopefully many of them will wear the senior shirt in the future.” Caroline Graham Hansen, pictured here with Nelson in 2018, has scored nine of her 47 international goals against Northern Ireland. While Nelson is optimistic about the future, immediate focus is on Friday’s first leg match at Inver Park. Competing in a game of this magnitude will be a new experience for many members of Oxtoby’s squad, as only 11 players from the Euro 2022 team are part of the current roster. Oxtoby’s arrival in the summer of 2023 initiated a rapid transitional phase, resulting in Nelson and several other seasoned players no longer being part of the team. “It’s part of the natural transition that was going to happen after the Euros given the age of some of the players,” said Nelson, who added “it always happens in football.” She continued, “It has happened quite quickly and it has given opportunities now for younger players to come in and stake their claim.” Now supporting the team from a non-playing role, Nelson believes it would represent “an incredible achievement” for Northern Ireland to create further history. “It’s going to be a massive learning opportunity, especially for the younger players. Not many of them have been in a game like this before or this scenario,” Nelson stated. “Playing against the top-quality players, you will learn what the demands are to play at that level. You need to do things quicker, you need to think quicker and you need to react quicker, and it raises the game for you as an individual and you see the standard you need to get to if you want to compete against those teams. To qualify once for Northern Ireland was massive, but to do it again would just be incredible.”