Northern Ireland v Norway: Julie Nelson’s history with Euro 2025 play-off opponents
While Nelson is excited about the future, all eyes are on Friday’s first leg at Inver Park.
Taking part in a tournament of this scale will be a new experience for many in the Oxtoby squad, with just 11 players in the current squad for Euro 2022.
Oxtobe’s arrival in the summer of 2023 saw a rapid transformation of the squad, with Nelson one of a number of experienced players no longer involved.
“It’s part of the natural transition after the Euros, given the age of some of the players,” Nelson said, adding that “it happens all the time in football”.
“It’s all happening very quickly and there’s now an opportunity for young players to come in and make their own claims.”
Nelson, now cheering the team on from outside the playing group, said it would be “an incredible achievement” if Northern Ireland could make more history.
“It’s going to be a huge learning opportunity, especially for the younger players. Not many of them have been through a game like this or a scenario like this before.
“Playing against top players, you learn what the requirements are to get to that level.
“You need to do things faster, you need to think faster, you need to react faster and that improves you as an individual and if you want to compete with these teams you see what you need to achieve standard.
“Qualifying for Northern Ireland is already a great thing but to qualify again would be even more incredible.”
