Norway struggles to restore harmony after Graham Hansen spat in FIFA Women’s World Cup

July 27 – Norway’s Caroline Graham Hansen might have apologized for her outburst over being dropped by coach Hege Riise for his or her World Cup conflict with Switzerland on Monday, however there may be nonetheless work to do if they’re to revive concord earlier than their ultimate group sport.

The Norwegians should beat the Philippines of their ultimate Group A sport on Sunday to have an opportunity to progress and face the problem of balancing the Scandinavian need for a robust collective with the person brilliance of some gamers.

In her incendiary post-match feedback, 28-year-old Graham Hansen blamed the Scandinavian “Law Of Jante” – by no means suppose you are higher than anybody else – for the choice to depart her on the bench for the scoreless draw with the Swiss.

The Barcelona participant apologized the following day however the issue for Riise is that a lot of Graham Hansen’s teammates sympathize with the winger even when they do not agree together with her resolution to air her grievances publicly.

“Of course you are disappointed not to be starting a game at the World Cup. It’s only natural that she and I would feel that way,” midfielder Ingrid Syrstad Engen, who was additionally dropped for the match, instructed reporters on Thursday.

“I don’t know if I was surprised by the reaction (of Graham Hansen), I understand that you can be disappointed in such a situation … Caro has said that it shouldn’t have come out in the way it did, and that it is also about other things.”

Graham Hansen and Engen received the Champions League final month with Barcelona and, whereas Engen struggled because the lone defensive midfielder of their opening 1-0 loss to New Zealand, Graham Hansen is without doubt one of the finest attacking gamers on the earth, making the choice to drop her all of the weirder.

Norway’s earlier workforce motto of “sterkere sammen” – “stronger together” – is conspicuous by its absence at this World Cup, a event that’s as a lot about particular person brilliance as it’s robust workforce play.

Coach Riise has stated that she has forgiven Graham Hansen for her outburst, nevertheless it seems there may be nonetheless some option to go earlier than the state of affairs is resolved.

“We have worked through it and we will continue to talk together, we haven’t had much time,” Riise instructed reporters on Wednesday following the participant’s apology.

“We are always open and receptive to an apology. She has given that and she will give the same to the players. It is accepted,” Riise added.

One manner or one other, most of the gamers look like behind the winger.

“Obviously one would prefer that this didn’t come out at all but once it did I feel we have solved it in a good way,” fellow winger Julie Blakstad stated.

“It’s great of her (Graham Hansen) to do that (apologize), I think everyone in the group appreciates it.”

—Reuters