Northern Ireland v Norway: Underdogs believe ‘anything is possible’ – Simone Magill

Northern Ireland are looking to reach back-to-back Euro finals, but this will be a new experience for the majority of Oxtoby’s squad.

Of the 23 players who travelled to NI’s first major tournament almost two-and-a-half years ago, only 11 have been named to face Norway this time around.

It is the fourth occasion Northern Ireland will have faced Norway in recent years.

Norway twice ran out 6-0 winners in qualifying for Euro 2022, and then 4-1 winners at the finals in England.

It’s a remarkable turnover of players in a short space of time, and Magill says it is up to those who have featured on the biggest stage to advise the younger members of the squad.

“All the senior players, we have a lot of leaders and we’ve spoken a lot about that,” added the Birmingham City striker.

“It’s for us to step up and guide the younger players who have never experienced anything like this before.

“Even talking about a major tournament, it’s new territory for a lot of our players.

“We have to focus on the game and not the occasion and we have to take it one game at a time.”