The first-ever occurrence is a unique moment, both a celebration of the hard work that led to this point and a platform for future endeavors. For Norwegian champions Vålerenga, their inaugural Champions League group stage match against Juventus is one such milestone. As their manager, Nils Lexerød, watches his team step onto the field at the Intility Arena in Oslo on Wednesday evening, history will be written, and a long-standing club ambition will be fulfilled.
"The Champions League group stage has been our primary ambition and main goal since we began working together in January 2022," Lexerød states. "This objective has driven us from day one. Every action we've taken has been aimed at reaching this milestone. Being here now is a significant achievement for everyone involved – players, staff, and supporters alike. It marks a proud moment in the club's history."
Reaching the European stage has been a long-held aspiration for Vålerenga, whose journey has not always been straightforward. Despite forming a women's team in 1982, it was disbanded for several years before being re-established in 1996. From there, Vålerenga climbed through the ranks, experiencing some setbacks along the way, before finally securing promotion to the highest level of Norwegian football in 2011. A first Toppserien title came nine years later, followed by a second Championship win last season under Lexerød's leadership. A third title seems imminent this year, with Vålerenga leading Brann by 11 points with five matches remaining.
The Oslo-based team boasts notable talent, including Norwegian internationals Thea Bjelde and Karina Sævik, and Danish midfielder Janni Thomsen. "The key to our success has been continuity – both within our support staff and our player group," Lexerød explains. "We have a core group of players who have been together for two to three years, and our staff has consistently worked with them. This stability has been crucial to our progress."
While Vålerenga has dominated domestically – remaining unbeaten in the league since June – the European stage presents a different challenge. Victories against Romania's Farul Constanta and Belgium's Anderlecht were the initial hurdles in qualifying, but the quality of opposition will be significantly higher from now on. Drawn in Group C, Vålerenga will face German champions Bayern Munich, Arsenal, and Juventus. All three teams have more experience at this level and come from leagues with greater investment and resources.
Maintaining a stable group of players has been challenging for Vålerenga, as it is for many teams in leagues that do not receive the necessary support from their federations and other sources. This issue is not unique to Norway; teams in Sweden and across Europe face similar challenges as their stars are scouted and lured away by richer, better-resourced leagues. Lexerød emphasizes the need to continue developing strong clubs and a competitive league to sustain and build on this progress.
Success on the field can elevate standards, and in these Champions League group games, Lexerød and his team have the opportunity to showcase their abilities to the rest of Europe. Their goal is to win their home matches and aim for draws away from home. "We're entering these matches with a lot of confidence," Lexerød says. "Our players are in great form, and the momentum from a successful domestic campaign provides a strong foundation as we face these tough European challenges. We know we're up against strong teams, but we're focused on our plan and believe we can compete at this level."
The first challenge comes from Juventus, who return to the competition after a year's absence. Lexerød views these encounters as a significant opportunity not only for his players but also for inspiring the next generation of footballers. "We're excited about bringing these top European teams to our home ground," he says. "We hope for a large turnout from our supporters, and we believe these matches can inspire young Norwegian girls and show them they too can succeed on the international stage."
