At home, standing at the front of the shelf, national team debutant Signe Gaupset has a pair of signed football boots. The signature belongs to Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg. An old picture of Gaupset and Hegerberg is the reason why the stars got the shoe a year ago. THE SIGNATURE OF THE IDOL: The signed Hegerberg shoe Gaupset belongs on the shelf. Photo: Erlend Havsgård Martinsen The 18- and 28-year-olds are now playing for the national team together for the very first time, eight years after their first meeting was immortalized. – I don’t see myself as much older than Signe. I feel I’m still at a fairly young age, says Hegerberg about the picture today. She adds: – But it’s witty. During the national team meeting, news showed the video of Gaupset talking about Hegerberg’s shoes: Hegerberg’s demands on Gaupset They met in the group stage of the Champions League in December when Brann competed against the world stars in Lyon. Three minutes into overtime in the home game, Gaupset appeared and secured points with their 2-2 score. – I told her that she had to be selected for the national team so that I could get her healthy, laughs Hegerberg. For the 18-year-old to get some new shoes, Hegerberg wants something in return. – She won’t get another pair any time soon. A few goal-scoring passes and he’ll get a couple more, smiles Hegerberg. ADVICE TO GAUPSET: Hegerberg scored against Brann in the Meisterliga. She advises Gaupset to lower his shoulders at the 18-year-old’s first national team meeting. Photo: NTB – Yes, it is in its place. She has been kind and given a pair of signed shoes. It is appropriate that she gets something in return for that. She will get some goalscoring passes, replies Gaupset with a smile. The goal-scoring passes from Gaupset to Hegerberg will probably have to wait a bit. If the 18-year-old makes his debut with the flag on his chest against Croatia, he will have to serve someone else. Gaupset debut? Follow and hear Norway against Croatia on Tuesday at 18.00. This is why the national league is important for Norway The national league is very important for Norway, as it lays the foundation for the “regular” European Championship qualification for the European Championship finals in 2025. Right now, Norway is at level A, which consists of four groups, but they are in danger of relegating to level B. After the six group stage matches, Norway is still number three in group 2. The fourth place from level A and B moves directly down to level B and C respectively, while the third in the group – i.e. Norway – must play a playoff against the second in the group in the level below in March 2024. There, Norway meets Croatia. The groups for the regular EC qualification next year will not be drawn, but are based on the national league this year. If Norway moves down to level B in the national league, the road to the EC play-offs in 2025 will be far more challenging compared to the EC road from level A. Eight nations go directly to the EC in 2025, in addition to host nation Switzerland: All four group winners from level A, as well as the group runners-up from level A go directly to the EC. The third and fourth place from level A meet the five group winners from level C, as well as the three best group runners-up from level C. A total of eight matches in which the eight winners advance to a decisive EC playoff. No one from level B goes directly to the EC. The group winners from level B and the two best group runners-up from level B meet the two worst group runners-up from level B and the group three-runners from level B. Here, the six winners advance to the decisive playoff. In the decisive EC playoff, there will be a total of 14 nations where the seven winners are qualified for the EC finals in 2025. – An opportunity for Signe With both Ada Stolsmo Hegerberg and Caroline Graham Hansen unavailable for the return match against Croatia in Stavanger, Grainger is forced to to make changes. Gaupset sat on the bench in the 3-0 win over Croatia, but with the injuries and the fact that Norway has got a good starting point, the chances of the national team debut coming on Tuesday increase. PRAISE: National team manager Gemma Grainger comes with many compliments in the direction of Gaupset. Photo: NTB – This match is an opportunity for Signe and for the other players, says Grainger. At the press conference before Tuesday’s match against Croatia, the national team manager praised the 18-year-old for being fearless. A trait he has already seen in training. – Signe is fearless when she plays for Brann. We want her to be here too. We want her to be herself. When she plays as herself, she is free. And we have seen that during this gathering, says the Briton. Was shielded Before the victory against Croatia on Friday, Brann player Signe Gaupset was shielded from the press. After the match, she said it had been wonderful to be able to focus on the important things. SMILING AT THE GATHERING: Gaupset at training in Stavanger on Monday. Photo: NTB – I haven’t really thought about it that much. Trainers and support staff have taken care of it. But it has been nice to be able to concentrate on football and be at the meeting, says Gaupset. Before the match, national team manager Gemma Grainger answered questions about why the 18-year-old was shielded. She says it was for natural reasons. – It is important that she settles in here and feels comfortable. It is important that she can focus on training and get to know the environment here.
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Signe received a gift from Hegerberg – now she can replace her great idol – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
