Signe Gaupset Threatening To Be Breakout Star Of UEFA Women's Euro
At 20 years of age, Signe Gauspet made UEFA Women's Euro history last week and hopes to propel Norway into their first major tournament semi-final tomorrow.
The buccaneering forward started her first game against Iceland last Thursday and demonstrated her prodigious talents by scoring twice and providing two assists in Norway's 4-3 win. It was the first time that the former World, European and Olympic champions had manged to win all three of their group games at a UEFA Women's Euro tournament.
The last of their international triumphs came in 2000, five years before Gaupset was born. Possessing a stellar forward line consisting of leading players from Arsenal, Barcelona, Chelsea and OL Lyonnes, living up to those past achievements has become a burden for the current generation of Norwegians. They had humiliatingly been eliminated from the group stage of the last two editions of the UEFA Women's Euro in 2017 and 2022.
Despite failing to catch the eye during their opening two matches in Switzerland, Norway won both and secured top spot in Group A with a game to spare. This meant they could rest their first-choice attackers and Gaupset, who had already impressed with her direct running style in the second half against Finland, was given a rare opportunity to start.
She grabbed her chance, becoming the youngest-ever player in the competition's history to score twice in a game. She scored and assisted with both right and left foot earning herself the Visa Player of the Match award for her performance.
THUN, SWITZERLAND - JULY 10: Signe Gaupset of Norway poses for a photo with the VISA Player Of The ... More Match award after the team's victory and subsequent progression into the quarter-finals following the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group A match between Norway and Iceland at Arena Thun on July 10, 2025 in Thun, Switzerland. (Photo by Alex Caparros - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
The UEFA Technical Observer Panel said "with two goals and two assists, she was influential in the match when it was in the balance. She was also high up in terms of key passes, penalty-box entries and among the leaders in ball carries, showing her influence on the game."
Speaking to SheKicks magazine after the game, Gaupset admitted 'that's really good for me. Great moments to be with such good players that play in better leagues than I do. It's a good experience for me. They also help me a lot on the pitch today so, yeah, I'm really happy.'
Gaupset had already come to international prominence as an 18-year-old with her performances for SK Brann in the UEFA Women's Champions League. Her ability to rise to the biggest occasion demonstrated by her last-minute equaliser against Olympique Lyonnais (now OL Lyonnes) in Bergen.
BERGEN, NORWAY - DECEMBER 21: Players of Brann celebrate at full-time during the UEFA Women's ... More Champions League group stage match between SK Brann and Olympique Lyonnais at Asane Arena on December 21, 2023 in Bergen, Norway. (Photo by Alex Pantling - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
From the age of 10, Gaupset played the game obsessively before and after school. She also recorded everything she learned in a set of meticulous training diaries aimed at perfecting her trade which she still maintains as a professional. Her assistant coach at SK Brann Knut Slatleim once described Gaupset as possessing "a determination that is not quite normal."
Like her national team captain, Ada Hegerberg, Gaupset hails from the Molde municipality. One of her most treasured possessions is a pair of Hegerberg's boots. Gaupset signed for IL Sandviken (now SK Brann) before her 16th birthday. Aged 17 she was a matchwinner in the Norwegian Cup final, scoring twice against Stabæk at the national Ullevaal stadium in Oslo.
Englishman Martin Ho worked with Gaupset for two seasons. The new Tottenham Hotspur head coach told me 'as a player for the national team, you've seen the impact she's had. In the game against Iceland she scored two goals and two assists, which showed the level of her quality. When she got the opportunity, she performed at a really high level.'
Norwegian head coach Gemma Grainger now has the dilemma of trying to find a place for her against Italy tomorrow in a forward line where Caroline Graham Hansen, Frida Maanum and Guro Reiten are established starters. Nonetheless, Grainger was delighted with Gaupset's performance against Iceland. "She takes her opportunities. Tonight it's so nice to see her step onto the pitch and express herself. I see her do that every week for her club; I've seen her do it in the Women's Champions League, and now I've seen her do it here."
THUN, SWITZERLAND - JULY 10: Gemma Grainger, Head Coach of Norway, speaks to the media in a post ... More match press conference alongside Signe Gaupset of Norway after the team's victory and subsequent progression into the quarter-finals following the UEFA Women's EURO 2025 Group A match between Norway and Iceland at Arena Thun on July 10, 2025 in Thun, Switzerland. (Photo by Chris Ricco - UEFA/UEFA via Getty Images)
Ho believes the best is yet to come from Gaupset. "I think that's what Signe needs sometimes is the opportunity to go and perform at national level and show what she's capable of. When she got the chance the other day, she took it with both hands. She's a wonderful talent, as everyone can see. She's high quality on the pitch, and plays with no fear, lots of courage, she's very brave. More importantly, she has a difference to her game that not a lot of people have, that maverick approach where she can pop up and do something in an instant, even when she's not in the game."
Gaupset is one of only five members of the Norwegian squad who play in their domestic league. Her performances in Switzerland will no doubt alert the leading clubs in Europe to her talents. Ho said "the national team have a wonderful player on their hands. Hopefully she gets an opportunity to play in the quarter final, and she can go and show everyone more of what she's about.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBS News
37 minutes ago
- CBS News
Justin Jefferson and Ja'Marr Chase tie for the top wide receiver in a vote by AP writers
Ja'Marr Chase achieved the receiving triple crown. Justin Jefferson has rewritten receiving records in his first five seasons. So which superstar pass-catcher is the best wide receiver in the NFL? It's a tie, according to a panel of eight AP Pro Football Writers who ranked the top five players at the position, basing selections on current status entering the 2025 season. First-place votes were worth 10 points. Second- through fifth-place votes were worth 5, 3, 2 and 1 points. Chase and Jefferson each received four first-place votes and four seconds. Amon-Ra St. Brown finished third, CeeDee Lamb was fourth and AJ Brown placed fifth. Tyreek Hill, Garrett Wilson, Terry McLaurin and Mike Evans also received votes. Jefferson had 103 catches for 1,533 yards and 10 touchdowns last season, also earning a unanimous All-Pro selection. Jefferson is the first player in NFL history with more than 7,000 receiving yards in just five seasons. He set records for most receptions by any player in their first three NFL seasons and most yards in first three, four and five seasons. Chase led the league in receptions (127), yards receiving (1,708) and touchdown catches (17) last season, becoming just the sixth wide receiver in the Super Bowl era to win the receiving triple crown. He was a unanimous All-Pro selection and teamed with Tee Higgins to give quarterback Joe Burrow two dynamic playmakers. Brown has three straight seasons of more than 100 receptions and more than 1,100 yards receiving. He followed up an All-Pro season in 2023 with another one in 2024, finishing with 115 catches for 1,263 yards and 12 TDs. Brown received three third-place votes, one fourth and three fifths. A four-time Pro Bowl pick and 2023 All-Pro, Lamb has put up prolific numbers in his first five seasons. Lamb had 101 catches for 1,194 yards and six TDs last year, his third straight surpassing 100/1,100. Lamb holds the Cowboys' single-season records for both receptions (135) and receiving yards (1,749), both set in 2023 when he also set an NFL record with three straight games of 10 receptions and 150 yards receiving. He received two third-place votes and four fourths. Brown has become one of the league's elite playmakers since joining Philadelphia in 2022. He had 67 catches for 1,079 yards and seven TDs in 13 games last season and played a big role in the offense for the Super Bowl champions. The three-time Pro Bowl pick had more than 1,400 yards receiving in each of his first two seasons with the Eagles. Brown got two third-place votes and three fifths.
Fox News
an hour ago
- Fox News
Euro 2025: Spain On Track? Watch Out For France? What Stood Out and What's Next
Surprise results, record crowds, and the pivotal matches on the horizon. The 2025 UEFA Women's Euros has already seen plenty of big moments. With the group stage wrapped up, all eyes will be on the quarterfinal matches – which begin on Thursday and go through the looking ahead, let's recap what stood out from the group stage. One title contender, the Netherlands, was eliminated after lopsided losses to both England and France. There was some heartbreak with Germany captain Giulia Gwinn suffering an early knee injury that will keep her out for the rest of the tournament. And some history, with a record 600,000 tickets already sold despite the heat wave that's taken over Switzerland. There's more excitement to come, but here's what stood out from the group stage and what we're looking forward to in the next round: Can Anyone Stop Spain From Silverware? The biggest news entering the Euros was that Spain star and reigning Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí was hospitalized with meningitis less than a week before the tournament began. She recovered quickly, and was able to come on as a substitute in La Roja's first two matches before starting and playing a full 90 minutes in the team's third group stage match against Italy. Whether Bonmatí would have needed more recovery time or not, it's clear that Spain is a machine to be reckoned with and still looks like the favorite to win it all. Alexia Putellas has been dominant with three goals so far, as has Esther Gonzalez, the NWSL's leading scorer who also leads all Euros scorers with four goals. As a whole, the team has been particularly effective in possession and in combination play. And once Bonmatí regains her full strength and starts scoring goals of her own, La Roja will be even more potent. A 2023 World Cup final rematch with England is certainly in the cards, though Spain have to get past Switzerland in the quarterfinal and then either France or Germany in the semi before thinking about that potential headline-grabbing matchup. New-look France Emerges From 'Groupe de la Mort' France finished atop a difficult Group D after a decisive 5-2 win over the Netherlands on Sunday. Les Bleues won all three of their games – against England, Wales and the Netherlands – and will play Germany in the quarterfinal on Saturday. There were questions surrounding this squad before the tournament began when manager Laurent Bonadei shocked the footballing world when he left captain Wendie Renard, Eugenie Le Sommer and Kenza Dali off the team. Together, the trio of well-known veterans have 444 caps and are synonymous with France's national team. But this is a program that has never won a major international tournament before, and Bonadei wanted to try something new. While the decision likely still stings, France looks like a team that can challenge for a trophy. Especially given Germany hasn't looked particularly dangerous and is coming off a 4-1 loss to Sweden. Swiss Surprise? Hosts Aiming To Make More Noise Switzerland was nearly ousted from the tournament until substitute Riola Xhemaili scored in stoppage time to draw Finland 1-1 in its final group stage match, which was enough to send the hosts through to the next round. The Swiss only needed a tie to advance, but trailed 1-0 following a 79th-minute penalty by Finland, creating some nervy final moments. The host's reward? A quarterfinal against Spain on Friday. The reigning world champs have scored 14 goals in three games, 12 of which have been from inside the box. Switzerland, meanwhile, has only found the back of the net four times. An inability to find the back of the net won't cut it against Spain's clinical attack. So how will veteran coach Pia Sundhage prepare for Spain? If it's anything like the last match, she'll utilize the youth on her roster which consists of 19-year-old Leila Wandeler (Lyon) and 18-year-olds Sydney Schertenleib (Barcelona) and Iman Beney (Manchester City). Schertenleib at least knows her opponent well, playing alongside the majority of them at club level. Regardless of what the end result will be, one thing is for sure: the environment for this matchup will be epic given how fans have shown up en masse all tournament. What To Expect In Quarterfinals The most anticipated quarterfinal match has to be England vs. Sweden. Both nations are playing at a high level right now – the Swedes just shocked Germany 4-1 in their final group stage match while the Lionesses are doing everything possible to win back-to-back Euros. These teams met in the semifinals at the 2022 Euros and England won 4-0. But this should be a closer game, as Sweden has been a much improved team since then. Sweden poses a physical, imposing threat and thrives on set pieces, while England has a deeper squad and are battle-tested coming out of a more challenging group. Elsewhere, Germany and France offer a showdown between two European powers, while Switzerland will try to stay alive against a heavily-favored and more proficient Spain. Norway vs. Italy is probably the least thrilling on paper, but it's a chance to watch stars Ada Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen book a spot in the semifinals. Laken Litman covers college football, college basketball and soccer for FOX Sports. She previously wrote for Sports Illustrated, USA Today and The Indianapolis Star. She is the author of "Strong Like a Woman," published in spring 2022 to mark the 50th anniversary of Title IX. Follow her at @LakenLitman.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Lens sign Metz full-back Matthieu Udol
Lens have announced the signing of Metz left-back and captain Matthieu Udol (29). Udol lead Les Grenats to a Ligue 1 promotion for his 19th season as a FC Metz Academy graduate. The 29-year-old has put pen to paper over a three-year contract with Pierre Sage's Sang et Or. Lens and Metz previously reached an agreement over a €5m transfer package, including €1.5m in performance-related add-ons. Metz have made it no secret over their desire to retain the services of their captain. Udol even skipped pre-season with Metz to force through his move to Lens. Metz head coach Stéphane Le Mignan described the situation as disturbing. 'If we were still in Ligue 2, I could understand. But we're in Ligue 1 now!' Le Mignan explained. 'I'm focused on the players who want to work.' Advertisement Udol will wear the No. 14 jersey with RC Lens. GFFN | Bastien Cheval
