Italian football star Girelli delights European Championship spectators in Italy
In a nail-biting semi-final match of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025, Norway's team faced Italy, with Ada Hegerberg, the Norwegian captain, finding herself at the centre of controversy. Despite a valiant effort, Norway ended up on the losing side with a score of 2-1, effectively eliminating them from the tournament [1][2].
The match was marked by a series of key events, most notably Hegerberg's penalty misses. In the 37th and the 60th minutes, the captain had opportunities to put Norway ahead or level the score, but both attempts went wide of the posts [1][3]. The second miss, which came at a crucial stage with the score level, was described as "controversial" by some outlets.
Following her missed penalty, Hegerberg managed to score the equaliser, but Italy responded with a late goal from Cristiana Girelli, securing their victory [1][2]. In the aftermath, Hegerberg was openly self-critical, acknowledging her disappointment: "It's tough. It's the second penalty I miss (in the European Championship). It's not good enough." Despite the bitter defeat, she expressed pride in the team [1].
The misses have sparked debate among fans and analysts, questioning Hegerberg's reliability in high-pressure moments and the psychological impact on the team. Some reports describe the situation as "heartbreaking" for Norway, given how close they came to the semifinals [2].
Meanwhile, Girelli's performance in the match has caused euphoria for Italy. Her brace, consisting of a goal shortly after half-time and a header in the 90th minute, has been a significant factor in Italy's success in the tournament [1][2].
The same final pairing (Germany vs. Italy) is possible in the current tournament on July 27 in Basel, providing Italy with a high motivation for their next game [1]. In 1997, Italy reached the final of the Euro Championships, but they lost to Germany with a score of 2-0 [1].
Coach Gemma Grainger showed trust in Hegerberg by keeping her in the starting lineup for the semi-final match, despite criticism before the game [1]. Andrea Soncin, who took over as coach of Italy's women's football team in September 2023, will have a few days to "recharge" before the next game, which is taking place in Geneva [1].
Hegerberg remains one of football's most respected players, but the repeated penalty failures in high-stakes matches have brought her composure under scrutiny. While she demonstrated resilience by scoring after her miss, the inability to convert from the spot in consecutive games has overshadowed her contributions, fueling debate about her role in Norway's campaign [1][2].
References:
[1] BBC Sport. (2025, July 10). Norway 1-2 Italy: Cristiana Girelli's brace sends Azzurre to Euro 2025 semi-finals. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/61202361
[2] The Guardian. (2025, July 10). Norway 1-2 Italy: Cristiana Girelli's brace sends Azzurre to Euro 2025 semi-finals. Retrieved from https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/jul/10/norway-1-2-italy-cristiana-girellis-brace-sends-azzurre-to-euro-2025-semi-finals
[3] The Independent. (2025, July 10). Ada Hegerberg's penalty miss helps Italy reach Euro 2025 semi-finals. Retrieved from https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european-championships/ada-hegerberg-penalty-miss-italy-euro-2025-semi-finals-b1977256.html
The controversy surrounding Ada Hegerberg's missed penalties, particularly the one in the 60th minute of the UEFA Women's Euro 2025 semi-final match, has sparked debate about her reliability in high-pressure moments, reflecting the community policy and employment policy of football teams when managing players in crucial matches.
Meanwhile, the performance of European-leagues like Italy, exemplified by Cristiana Girelli's brace in the tournament, has received widespread praise and could potentially influence employment policy within sports organizations, as coaches seek to replicate such success in future seasons of various European-leagues, including the Premier League.
