Caroline Graham Hansen has created quite the reputation for herself over the duration of her career. She has often been regarded as one of Norway’s most technical and gifted players in terms of her creativity, vision, touches and passes. These aspects of Graham Hansen’s game set her apart from others. The quality she showcases day in day out make her a standout player for both club and country.
However even with powerhouses like Graham Hansen, Norway as a team have struggled over the years, often underachieving in tournaments and matches. A notable game during Euro 2022 saw them lose 8-0 to England, even with the likes of Graham-Hansen as well as other big names such as Ada Hegerberg, Guro Reiten and their captain at the time Maren Mjelde, present for this match. A major loss like this alongside early exits from tournaments raised several questions regarding the Norwegian team – such talented players with little to no results time and time again.
But Norway are hungry once again to change this and finally find success at Euro 2025.
In the words of Caroline Graham Hansen at the 2023 World Cup, Norway ‘go from championship to championship and underperform‘.
Leadership isn’t always about being the loudest voice on the field. Sometimes, it’s relentless effort, quiet consistency, and the kind of energy that inspires everyone around you. That’s how Graham Hansen leads on the field, one pass and one game at a time.
She’s always one to step up in key moments for her team, such as during the 2019 World Cup when she put away a penalty that sent Norway to the quarter finals. Others have praised her talents, including former Norwegian captain Maren Mjelde.
“She’s a great leader and a great team player at the same time. All her energies go into helping the team to play better and win… she’s got the quality to change games, and when it comes to one-on-one situations, she’s the best in the world… she’s become a natural leader.”
Caroline Graham Hansen carries the weight of a nation that still clings to memories of its golden era — when Norway lifted the World Cup in 1995 and stood among Europe’s elite. Since then, hope has endured, but they’ve been met with heartbreak time and time again. As one of the most influential players the pressure builds for Graham-Hansen to lead, turn games around and create the chances Norway need in order to win.
At Barcelona, Caroline Graham Hansen thrives within a well-oiled, tactically fluid system that plays to her strengths. She’s granted the freedom to cut inside, create chances, and operate in advanced areas where she is most dangerous. Her role is clearly defined, allowing her to flourish. In contrast, her responsibilities with the Norwegian national team are less structured. Without the same level of tactical cohesion, she often drops deeper just to receive the ball – pulling her away from the goal, where she’s at her most clinical. Norway have long struggled to replicate the fluid systems seen at top clubs, not just affecting Graham Hansen, but several other talented players. As a result, despite her consistently solid performances, her impact at the international level hasn’t always matched her potential—contributing to the team’s repeated underwhelming results.
In order for Norway to regain their place as one of the best in Europe, their fate will be very dependent on the likes of Graham Hansen and others, who can help to carry the team forward with strength and consistency and hopefully lead Norway to the success they are so desperately craving.
