Introduction—“Bookie’s Tip Special”
(France, South Korea, Nigeria, Norway)
Too early for unorthodox predictions?
Not for this bookie. Every tournament must feature at least one “Group of Surprises” and we’ve an excellent candidate here. Both the South Korean and Nigerian squads are severely underrated. The schedule affords them both a chance to rack up points unbecoming of their present FIFA Rankings. Additionally, this collection of countries furnishes us with our first legitimate “Implosion Team” candidate. In a spectacular break with tradition, it’s actually not the French.
Not for this bookie. Every tournament must feature at least one “Group of Surprises” and we’ve an excellent candidate here. Both the South Korean and Nigerian squads are severely underrated. The schedule affords them both a chance to rack up points unbecoming of their present FIFA Rankings. Additionally, this collection of countries furnishes us with our first legitimate “Implosion Team” candidate. In a spectacular break with tradition, it’s actually not the French.
The hosts—benevolently dubbed the “Gauloises Gals” in previous Syndicate Chapters—should successfully ride the enthusiasm of last Summer’s glorious triumph and this year’s glittering prospects without much difficulty. The French being the French, we must of course allow for the possibility that they will decline to be in the mood precisely when they should be. The original hipsters never seem to miss an opportunity to play the contrarian. It remains a possibility; albeit a significantly remote one.
The nation this independent oddsmaker expects to fall apart are the Grasshoppers of Norway. They’re perfectly poised to gobsmacked by the Nigerian Amazons, further harried by the hosts, and Gangnam-Style trampled upon by the Koreans before their unconvincing coach even gets the basics of his tactics sorted out. I trust the Norwegians to deliver some neatly-plaited Nordic hair braids and that’s about it.
Nothing personal against Norway. Fjords, Jan Garbarek, and “National Firewood Night” are all among my favorite things in the world. Also a big fan of neatly-plaited Nordic hair braids. Who isn’t? It’s simply that this year’s team displays no cogent sense of identity. Building a workable lineup that looked like it could flow proved impossible. Coupled with the controversy surrounding Ada Hegerberg’s voluntary exclusion, your friendly bookie feels it will be too much for Haavi and Co. to bear.
Hegerberg merits discussion. We can’t begin coverage of this tournament without mentioning that the player considered by many to be the best in the world has opted to boycott. The Olympique Lyon superstar persists in protest. It all originated in the Autumn of 2017, shortly after the Norwegians exited with a flop in that Summer’s Euros. The women banded together to file a pay dispute with the Norwegian Football Federation, ultimately earning some additional financial remuneration, but failing to receive adequate financing for their domestic league teams.
It wasn’t enough for Ada, who will miss out on the women’s great global showcase in hopes that her outspoken absence will ultimately prove more useful in drawing attention to the sad plight of professional women footballers who are barely able to make a living in fledgling domestic leagues. Read through this year’s State of the Syndicate Address and you’ll see that this remains an issue very close to your friendly bookie’s heart.
It's a damn shame that a broader audience won't be able to watch her participate in this Summer’s festivities, but I’ll begrudgingly admit that at least one of the top caliber players has to sit this one out to make this very important point. It must be done in conjunction with the exposure this competition will bring.
What? All this sincerity grating on your nerves, gentlemen? I know what you want. You rubes want to see the picture of Elodie Thomis, Gatetine Thiney and Corrine Franco from back in 2011 again don’t you? Ah Christ. Might as well go with what ‘Das Publikum” wants.
France—“Les Bleaus Feminine”
Big changes to report here as Louisa Necib, Laura Georges, Laure Bolleau, Camile Abily, Elodie Thomis, Claire Lavogez, Camile Catala, Sabrina Delannoy, and Marie Laure-Delie have all either retired or fallen out of favor. Former manager Bruno Bini returned to relieve Phillipe Bergeroo after the 2015 tournament. Following a rather listless performance in the 2017 Euros, Bini resigned and former national team centerback Corinne Diacre ushered in an entirely new era.
Along with Scottish National Team Manager Shelley Kerr, Diacre shares the groundbreaking distinction of being one of the handful of female managers who have actually managed a men’s professional team. For three years she held the reins at Clermont Foot in France’s second division. Her lineup selections both at the club and international level can't exactly be described as innovative, but she usually builds an effective and balanced attack with veteran leadership skewed slightly to the left.
The hosts enter the competition riding a convincing streak of victories against legitimate opposition in friendlies over the past two years. This includes lopsided triumphs over other tournaments squads such as Brazil, Japan, Australia, Cameroon, and the USA. Only the Germans and English have managed to defeat Diacre’s Dames in the last eighteen months. Questions nevertheless abound as we’ve yet to see them perform in high-pressure matches. The Federation didn’t even allow them to compete in the 2019 SheBelieves Cup.
Eugenie Le Sommer remains a prolific goal-scorer, but the bookie wonders if she’ll prove as effective without her long-time attacking partner Marie Laure-Delie. Wendie Renard also loses her preferred partner Laura Georges at the back. Valerie Gauvin and Griedge Mbock-Bathy should make for more than serviceable replacements, but we might witness some missteps in this highly competitive group.
On the whole, the French attack appears too strong to predict anything other than a first-place finish accompanied by the full nine points. Lead attacker Vivianne Asseyi enters her prime. Should she lurch a tad, Delphine Cascarino or Kadidiatou Diani can enter the fray and get the assault moving rather rapidly. The Froggies should light it up easily, in sharp contrast to the crap men’s team forced us to sit through in their group last Summer.
Allez Les Bleau! Vive le France! Pour liberte, egalite, et fraternite!
Projecting the French Lineup (4-3-3)
Vivianne Asseyi
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Eugenie Le Sommer Valerie Gauvin
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Amandine Henry Grace Geyoro
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Gaëthine Thiney
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S. Karchaoui W. Renard G. Mblock Bathy A. Majri
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Sarah Bouhaddi
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The Talisman—Amandine Henry 
2015’s Silver Ball winner returns, this time sporting the captain’s armband. Everyone remember that sizzling scorcher she scored in the 5-0 rout of Mexico four years ago? At present she occupies deeper anchoring role in central midfield. She essentially inherits Elise Bussaglia’s place.
The captain has struggled with injury and suspect form during short loan spells for PSG and the Portland Thorns, but presently finds herself surging during her late-career second stint at Olympique Lyon. A clutch goal in the 2018 Shebelieves illustrates how vital she can be in getting this team moving.
The Pillars— Wendie Renard 
The freakishly tall and lanky centerback from Martinique looks all set to have a monster tournament. Her status as a female footballing legend already cemented, she should sparkle in front of her club hometown club crowd of Lyon once the Froggy Fawns attain the Semis.
Viviane Asseyi 
A strong and explosive center-forward of Ghanaian heritage who came close to making the cut for the 2011 and 2015 squads. Looks as if she’s finally found her groove after moving to Bordeaux last year. Bookie projects her to spearhead the attack after tallying much recently for club and country.
Eugenie Le Sommer 
Still here. Still scoring. She’s now racked up 74 goals for the National Side in over 160 caps. Cannot emphasize how important she’ll to this squad either on the left or all alone up top. Another “Lyon Lady” who serves as an alternate captain.
Gaëthine Thiney 
Much beloved in this Sportsbook. Now 33, she’s far too slow to lead the attack. Or is she? Club goal production has tapered off slightly, but she still showcases her skills regularly as the captain of Paris Juivisy. Bookie projects her staring just above the defensive line, though such a augury may stem solely from his own wishful thinking.
The Phenoms— Grace Geyoro 
The 21-year-old of Congolese descent has been groomed carefully in the youth system for quite some time. A PSG Prodigy, she finally claimed a regular spot on the right during the 2017 Euros. Like to see her come forward a bit more. She only recently scored her first national team goal against Uruguay earlier this year. An excellent ball-winner. Sort of a female N’Golo Kante.
Sakina Karchaoui 
A sturdy and well-disciplined left back born to Moroccan parents. She’s also been starting regularly for the senior side since making her debut in 2016. More defensive-minded than most fullbacks, she’ll have to fend off competition for her starting role from a resurgent Amel Majri....or maybe Diacre will follow the bookie’s projection and start them both.
Valerie Gauvin 
A 22-year-old superstriker who plays professionally for Montpelier. Hardly French at all as she’s originally from the island prefecture of Reunion just off the coast of Madagascar. She scored five goals in her first ten international caps, including a spectacular hat trick against Nigeria in 2018. Watch her come alive.
Kadidiatou Diani 
The PSG-Goal Machine isn’t quite as dominant for the national side. Bookie doesn’t see a starting place for her, but he may very well be very wrong. At 24-years-of-age she’s on the older-end of the phenom spectrum, but appears to be peaking after putting in a lot of hard work. The Parisian recently grabbed a brace in a friendly against the USA.
Emelyne Laurent 
Never even heard of this girl until she made the final roster. Three caps for the 20-year-old who plays alongside Nigeria’s Desire Oparanozie at En Avant de Guingamp. Looking forward to meeting her.
South Korea—“Taeguk Nanja”
Don’t believe the FIFA Rankings. Our female Asian Tigers have placed second in two major tournaments this year. The Republic punched through to the Round of 16 four years ago and, thanks to a solid returning core of players, might even make it farther here. Yoon Deok-Yeo has further refined his system and the bookie stands most impressed. Ji So-Yun and Cho So-Hyun are on fire. Just wait until you meet Moon Mi-Ra!
All of this notwithstanding, it should be noted that it took the bookie some time to talk himself into this team once he learned of Jeon Ga-Eul’s exclusion. This talismanic former captain seemed an apt choice to start on the upper left flank. After toying around with the lineup somewhat, I eventually came to the conclusion that Yeo can build stronger without the veteran.
Jung Seol-Bin is a notch younger, a hair taller, and has developed better over the last four years. She’s had her struggles with injury, but demonstrated once again this year how potent she can be once fully fit. Three goals in two starts for Incheon Hyundai Steel in the season that just concluded.
Cho So-Hyun, Kang Yu-Mi, Lee-Geum Min, and Ji So-Yun all return having improved tremendously. Captain Cho So-Hyun in particular made great strides, eventually landing a contract with West Ham Ladies. Her striking and London Women’s Premiership counterpart scored in three quarters of her matches over at Stamford Bridge.
In addition to featuring a strong frontal attack, fullbacks Lee Eun-Mi and Kim Hye-Ri are excellent on flanks and crosses. Two younger centerbacks and a new keeper upgrade the defense. Sorry syndicate brethren! You’ll have to do without BOTH Kim Jung-Mi and Shim Seo-Yun. Less eye-candy this time around ; (
Projecting the South Korean Lineup (4-4-2)
Ji So-Yun Cho So-Hyun
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Jung Seol-Bin Lee-Geum Min
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Moon Mi-Ra Kang Yu-Mi
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Lee Eun-Mi Kim Hye-Ri
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Shin Dam-Yeong Jang Sei-Gi
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Kang Ga-ae
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The Talisman—Cho So-Hyun 
It took some time for the one time Incheon prospect to get comfortable taking more shots on goal. She’s always been a shy one with a strong penchant for self-criticism. Throughout most of her twenties she only really looked comfortable playing for the national team.
Though she still prefers the flight director’s role it midfield, it’s been nice to witness her remaining with the attack more, especially since transferring to West Ham in January. Surely flying high after scoring a critical penalty in the FA Cup Semi-finals, she’ll be happy to settle in with her natural sisters, perhaps even providing us with a goal as memorable as the one she scored against Spain in 2015.
The Pillars— Ji So-Yun 
Last tournament’s talisman continues to kick ass for Chelsea Ladies. Still only 28-years-of-age, she hasn’t lost a bit of that ravenous appetite for loose balls. (No entendre intended). A brace in this year’s inaugural Cup of Nations now brings her record total national team tallies to 54. With no one else even coming close, expect a generation to pass before she gets eclipsed. As the bookie put it four years ago, she’s essentially the female Oh Dae-Su during that hallway scene in Oldboy.
Lee Geum-Min 
Scant minutes and two bookings for the former FC Seoul forward in the 2015 tournament. In the intervening years she’s tallied 15 times in 44 caps to secure her place on the right ahead of Kang Yu-Mi. Few will know her now. More will in a few weeks.
Jung Seol-Bin 
Loads of extra pressure on the 29-year-old Incheon Red Angels forward now that Ga-Eul will be sitting this one out. Bookie retains confidence in her. Lee Min-A and Lee So-Dam stand at the ready should she not be up to the task
Kim Hye-Ri/Lee Eun-Mi 
The aforementioned fullbacks. Truly great rovers who match up well against most of their counterparts in this group. The latter has even tallied 14 times for the national side. Watch them dish it up for their colleagues.
The Phenoms— Yeo Min-Ji 
Bookie knows very little about the 26-year-old striker with twelve goals in 34 caps for the national side since 2015. He merely knows great numbers and a streaking player when he sees one. She’s quite the late bloomer. Dook-Yeo showcased her a bit in the Four Nations tournament and in recent friendlies. She seems to score every time she gets the nod. Other than that, I can only report that she plays for that new Korean Sportstoto Franchise that seems like it’s moved 46 times.
Moon Mi-Ra 
A VERY late-bloomer, she’s come out of nowhere to score eleven goals in 22 caps over the last couple of years. Might as well dub her the female equivalent of Ayoub El-Kaabi. She scored in both the 2019 international competitions. For all of the both of those keeping track, that’s two late-blooming-phenoms. It’s a testament to what an eye for talent Dook-Yeo has.
Jang Sei-gi 
The prodigy finally gets her day. Tapped as the Asian Young footballer of the year before she was even out of High School, the now 24-year-old can play virtually anywhere on the pitch. She settles in as a centerback in Dook-Yeo’s system, but don’t be surprised to see her deployed further afield. She’s tallied eleven times when called given license to roam.
Son Hwa-Yeon 
A 22-year-old “joker card” as one would put it in German football parlance. The Korean manager plays her introduction close to the vest, though he’s not quite as shifty as Shin Tae Jung. Another one with more than her fair share of tallies over the last two years.
Nigeria—“The Super Falcons”
They shall not serve as doormats this time. Take heed of the confident bookie’s projection. We’ve waited four long years to herald the triumphant return of what I once termed the “O-Ordnance”. This has to be year for the eleven-time African continental champions. They ride a wave of success, having captured the African crown in 2014, 2016, and 2018. They’ve also just trounced all opposition in the WAFU West African Cup.
Our Delta Queens have qualified for every single Women’s World Cup since we began back in 1991. Not only will they progress out of the group for the first time in twenty years, this team might even make the quarters. A Golden Generation prepares to peak. I…er…really mean it this time.
Some explanation of the “O-Ordnance” is in order. In the opening round of the 2015 tournament, Edwin Okun’s Falcons came from behind twice to draw the Swedes in a 3-3 in an absolute cherry bomb of a match. Bookie took the opportunity to highlight the performances of Asisat Oshoala, Ngozi Okobu, Francisca Ordega, and Desire Oparanozie in his Round Two rankings.
From FWM 2015—Round Two
I repeatedly warned any and all doubters that this team came to play. Don’t let the socreline fool you. The Super Falcons DOMINATED the Swedes from start to finish. Oshoala, Ordega, Oparanozie, and Okobi didn’t downshift for a split second. I’ve honestly never seen a four-pronged attack fly for 90 minutes in fifth gear. Might as well dub this quartet of ladies the “O-Ordnance”. They fired fast and furious, never even showing the slightest sign of running out of steam. Okun drops to his knees to praise Allah every time they bulge the back of the net.
He’s much to be grateful for. We many very well be witnessing the advent of a “Golden Generation”. Oshoala, Ordega, Oparanazoie, and Okobi are all only twenty-one years of age! Oshoala already plays for Liverpool Ladies. Ordega has experience in the Swedish League and just signed for a stateside squad. Oparanozie hones her skills in France.
All four players return. Updates can be found below. As it so happened, Edwin Okun totally squandered his chance to utilize this attacking axis in the previous tournament. He accomplished by somehow besting then Norweigan coach Even Pellerud’s proud penchant for tactical stupidity
No need to revisit that travesty as former Sweden Women’s coach Thomas Dennerby took the reins of this program in early 2018. Recall he was the coach who led the Blaugults to a third place finish back in 2011.
It’s been an excellent fit as many of Nigeria’s women have extensive experience playing in Sweden. A fantastic team effort in the 2018 Women’s African Cup of Nations saw the squad truly gel as a unit with goals coming from many different players and angles.
Naturally there exist weaknesses. Bookie remains concerned that Ebere, Ohale, and Ebi might get too easily torched at the back. Ordega’s been dipping a bit too hard for my tastes as well. Bear those in mind before plopping down an entire paycheck on them at the Tipico.
Projecting the Nigerian Lineup (4-3-3)
Asisat Oshoala Desire Oparanozie Ngozi Okobi
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Halimatu Ayinde Francisca Ordega
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Evelyn Nwabuoku
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Ngozi Ebere Osinachi Ohale
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Onome Ebi Josephine Chukwunonye
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Alaba Jonathan
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The Talisman—Desire Oparanozie 
Our first member of the “O-Ordnance”. The “She-Wolves” of VfL certainly must rue letting this über-robust piece of artillery slip through their grasp. Capable of bulldozing through just about any defense, Bookie affectionately refers to her as “The Panzer”. She’s explosive in her sprints, yet tactfully graceful when it comes to her touches and dribbling.A complete athlete. You’ll love watching her balanced flair. Another great season for Guingamp in the French League as well as no shortage of sparklers for the national side in recent competitions.
The Pillars Josephine Chukwunonye 
A tall traditional centerback with experience playing in the USA. The 27-year-old become something of a sought-after commodity in Sweden, playing for three separate clubs in as many years. Got her start at the Delta Queens Academy with teammate and “O-Ordnance” Member Ngozi-Okobi. The two were inseparable for some years.
Halimatu Ayinde 
Bookie sees her starting directly behind the attacking trident. She already had that place on the team locked down at the age of 21, starting two of the three group stage games back in 2015. The 24-year-old midfielder put in a serviceable stint with Western New York Flash before their self-imposed demotion. After a self-imposed exile of sorts in Belarus, looks like she’s headed over to the Nigerian Swedish Haven.
Asisat Oshoala 
Our next “O-Ordnance” member. Almost gave up on her when she left the Women’s Premiership for a stint in China. Turned out a year in Lioaning did wonders for her confidence. After staring for Liverpool and Arsenal Ladies, she returned to Europe to demolish anyone who stood in her way with a scorching season at Barça. What an incredible breakout player! She netted six goals (including a Super Hat Trick) in the 2016 continental championships while tallying thrice in 2018. One of the world’s finest, she’s a great role model for girls everywhere. FUCK BOKO HARAM!
Ngozi Okobi 
The third “O-Ordnance” member. She’s added another “O” to her last name, presumably after eloping. Note that it often takes time for your friendly bookie to refer to female players by their married name. Wasn’t ready to call Celia Okoyino da Mbabi “Celia Sasic” for a full two rounds. Wasn’t ready here. Looks as if her Swedish side has interfered with her production by attempting to tinker too much with her positioning. Dennerby won’t. Place her either on the right wing or in the number ten role and she’ll produce.
Francisca Ordega 
The final “O-Ordnance” member has had some problems finding a steady club. She’s spent a lot of unproductive time out on loan over the past four seasons. Perhaps a stint in China will do for her what it did for Oshoala. Still unquestionably talented, she tallied twice in the 2018 Women’s CAN.
The Phenoms Anam Imo 
An eighteen-year-old FC Rosengard prospect who only recently made her debut in the WAFU Competition…and she’s already scoring. Doubt if Dennerby has any plans to deploy her at striker, but she could be used in midfield.
Rasheedat Ajibade 
How many teenage striking prospects can a single tournament squad carry? Evidently not enough as we’ve another one here. Signed by a Norwegian side at the age of 17, she’s been on a many a scout’s radar for ages. It’s getting a bit ridiculous with the young talent in this program. Another Golden Generation waits patiently in the wings.
Chinaza Kanu 
This year’s version of Courtney Dike. An American-educated 21-year-old prospect. This one’s from Southeastern University.
Norway—“The Grasshoppers”
Since failing to qualify for the 2016 Olympics and crashing out of the 2017 Euros without scoring a single goal, the Grasshoppers have responded quite capably without making a coaching change. Martin Sjörgen’s girls topped a tough qualifying group that featured the lethal Dutch and a competent Republic of Ireland squad only dropping a single match. They’ve also won the 2019 Algarve Cup.
Why isn’t the bookie buying stock? Declining form all around. Isabell Hervlosen and Elise Thorsnes appear well past their prime. Production numbers for Haavi and Mjelde’s production are falling off as well. Then there’s the matter of the controversy surrounding this team following the pay dispute.
Norway’s women did secure a 50 percent pay increase, Lyon Superstar Ada Hegerberg has still refused to return to the call-up pool, citing the unfair treatment of the woman’s team by the national football federation. This matters immensely. Hegerberg is arguably the world’s best female player and commands a great deal of attention. How will a team mostly relying on young players who wish to emulate her success react?
Somehow the bookie doesn’t see it playing out well. As it stands, Sjörgen already faces daunting tactical challenges. The enormous gaps in age and playing style on this roster render it doubtful he can assemble anything that will click chemistry-wise. Bookie does his level best below, trying to incorporate as many reliable LSK Kvinner regulars as possible.
Note that I cannot quite ascertain where squad selections like Karina Saevik, Amalie Eikeland, Stine Holvand, Cecille Kvamme, and Therese Asland are supposed to fit into the plan. Synne Hansen makes sense, but five hitherto unknowns make little sense. All were included at positions where the Grasshoppers are already deep.
We’ll thus stick with the meltdown prognostication, emphasizing the fact that I often get proven dead wrong.
Projecting the Norwegian Lineup (5-3-2)
Lisa K. Utland Isabell Herlovsen
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Guro Reiten Caroline Hansen
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Ingrid Syrstad Engen
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Emile Haavi
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Ingrid Moe Wold M. Mjelde K. Minde Vilde Risa
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Ingrid Hjelmseth
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The Talisman—Emile Haavi 
Yes, I’m sticking with her as the talisman. No, it has nothing to do with my fetish for elven-ears. I’ll conjecture that no other sportswriter, amateur or professional, shall tap her as the star. Minde, Mjelde, Hervlosen, Reiten, Graham-Hansen, Hjelmseth, and even Utland all lie ahead of her in most people’s books. Bookie simply sees it differently.She may generate far fewer chances in her new role further back, but she’ll be crucial in ensuring that this unproven team and their very green coach. With Mjelde and Minde apt to run forward, only a reliable sweeper can keep the lines clear and the back diamond stable. She’ll also be charged with covering quite a bit of ground that Risa and Engen might cede. Success in this tournament hinges largely on her ability to instill some sense of discipline.
The Pillars Ingrid Hjelmseth 
Some talk as to whether Cecile Fiskerstrand will actually get the starting nod. Hjelmseth is, after all, what can only be described as 39-years-of-age. It appears she’s not ready to relinquish her position as the stalwart. She’s still reportedly fully fit, often times training with the outfielders. Somewhere I recall reading that, much like Neuer, she always truly wanted to be an outfielder. Hopefully, she’ll do better than Neuer last Summer.
Maren Mjelde 
The versatile captain has slowly become less versatile with age. Rarely seen in attack anymore, she’s also been relegated to the second string at Chelsea. None of this in any way diminishes all that she’s accomplished in over 130 caps for the national side. We’ve sung her praises multiple times in these pages. Bookie expects mostly defensive work from her this go-around. Love to be proven wrong.
Caroline Graham Hansen 
After five years of owning the flanks for VfL Wolfsburg, the 24-year-old is headed to the Ciutat Esportiva to play for Barca ladies. It appears she’s finally fully recovered from the knee injuries she suffered just prior to start of the 2015 tournament. While her club form didn’t truly suffer, she looked totally lost in the 2017 European Championship. She rebounded with six goals in the qualifying round. Having debuted as a 16-year-old in 2011, one of our favorites now 25 goals in 71 national team caps.
Lisa Karlsen Utland 
If there’s one player capable of picking up some of the slack, it’s the FC Rosengrad striker. She scored a total of seven times in the qualifying round, netting a Hat Trick against Slovakia and a brace against Northern Ireland. She may even start alone up top if Hervlosen or Thornses can’t go. A bonafide star.
Kristine Minde 
The former Kristine Wigdahl-Hegland has been more of a tournament player for VfL Wolfsburg, but will likely serve this team well. Bookie has her projected as a centerback, but she can also play in attacking midfield or even forward if need be. Known for her fabulous footwork whatever position she occupies. Great to see her back.
The Phenoms Ingrid Syrstad Engen 
Can a 21-year-old hold down the midfield? Why not. She’s off to a terrific start since debuting with the senior side last year. A decisive goal in the qualifying stages evinces poise and class well beyond her age. Sjörgen would be a fool not to give her a shot.
Guro Reiten 
Another star of the qualifying campaign, the 24-year-old has been tearing the domestic league to pieces with back-to-back twenty goal seasons for LSK Kvinner. We may be witnessing the sprouting of one of the all-time greats.
Frida Leonhardsen Maanum 
Still no national team goals for the 19-year-old who debuted in the 2017 Euros, but that’s no reason to give up on her. Performs well for Linköping in the Swedish League.
Vilde Risa 
A rabbit’s foot of sorts whom the bookie predicts will edge out Maria Thorisdottir for a shot in the defense. Cecilie Kvamme and Stine Hovland are others who may get a go.
Vicey’s Fearless Group Prediction (3 to 1 Odds for bookie)
1) France 2) South Korea 3) Nigeria 4) Norway
Overall Championship Odds
France (Straight Up) South Korea (4 to 1) Nigeria (6 to 1) Norway (8 to 1)
Round of 16 Odds
France (NO BETS) South Korea (Straight Up) Nigeria (Straight up) Norway (2 to 1)
Quarterfinal Odds
France (NO BETS) South Korea (Straight Up) Nigeria (2 to 1) Norway (4 to 1)
Semifinal Odds
France (NO BETS) South Korea (2 to 1) Nigeria (4 to 1) Norway (5 to 1)
