History of the Women’s World Cup | Sweden 1995: Double prize for Norway

Lights and shadows in the second edition of the Women’s World Cup which was held in Sweden from June 5 to 18, 1995, being the shortest edition of the event. If China 1991 was the innovation, this second World Cup in northern Europe marked the consecration of women’s football at the highest level.

The contest served as a qualifying process for the eight teams that reached the quarterfinals for the 1996 Olympic Games held in Atlanta. The system of three points for victory was implemented -as in the men’s- and, unlike the first edition, the matches lasted ninety minutes in total, with the option of having a two-minute timeout in each part.

China 1991: United States, the first champion

Revenge against the USA

However, the competition reached extremely low ratings, becoming Lowest attended Women’s World Cup of all time, and press coverage was notoriously limited. The final was not even televised. And the little attention from the media had an impact on public interest, as well as the distance between the chosen cities and the lack of standardized transportation.

Nine of the twelve participating teams had played in the first edition in China, and of the rookies, only England made it past the initial phase. Norway beat the United States, their executioner in the previous final, in the semi-finals and beat Germany in the grand final in Solna, Stockholm. It was the consolidation of the best Norwegian team in history.

Riise, from MVP to coach

Hege Riise was the second top scorer of the tournament, with five goals -one less than Aarones- and was chosen MVP of the edition. Considered one of the best players of her generation, now, after the resignation of Martin Sjögren due to the poor result in the Euro Cup in England last summer, Riise has assumed the helm and will lead Norway in this year’s World Cup.

2023-07-04 09:05:25
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