Gro Espeseth

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Gro Espeseth

| image =

| fullname =Gro Espeseth{{cite web|url=https://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/es/gro-espeseth-1.html |title=Gro Espeseth |publisher=Sports Reference |access-date=18 September 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131205030352/http://www.sports-reference.com/olympics/athletes/es/gro-espeseth-1.html |archive-date=5 December 2013 }}

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1972|10|30|df=y}}

| birth_place = Stord, Norway

| height = {{height|cm=172}}

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| position = Centre-back

| youthyears1=

| youthclubs1= Ådnamarka

| youthyears2= 1989–1990

| youthclubs2= IL Bjørnar

| years1= 1991–1998

| clubs1= IL Sandviken

| caps1=

| goals1 =

| years2= 1999–2000

| clubs2= Trondheims-Ørn

| caps2= 8

| goals2 = 0

| years3= 2001

| clubs3= New York Power

| caps3= 20

| goals3 = 1

| years4= 2007

| clubs4= IL Sandviken

| caps4= 1

| goals4 = 0

| nationalyears1= 1991–2000

| nationalteam1= Norway

| nationalcaps1= 105

| nationalgoals1 = 9

|medaltemplates=

{{MedalCountry | {{NOR}}}}

| pcupdate = 14:16, 20 September 2014 (UTC)

| ntupdate = 14:16, 20 September 2014 (UTC)

}}

Gro Espeseth (born 30 October 1972) is a former Norwegian footballer, world champion and olympic champion.

She played for the clubs Sandviken and Trondheims-Ørn, debuted for the Norwegian national team in 1991, and played 105 matches for the national team.

She received a bronze medal at the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, and a gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.[http://www.databaseolympics.com/games/gamessport.htm?g=25&sp=SOC "2000 Summer Olympics – Melbourne, Australia – Soccer"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811080748/http://www.databaseolympics.com/games/gamessport.htm?g=25&sp=SOC |date=11 August 2012 }} (Retrieved on 15 May 2008)

Club career

With Sandviken Espeseth won the 1995 Norwegian Women's Cup, scoring twice in the 3–2 final win over Trondheims-Ørn, including the extra time winner. She had an offer to join Japanese L. League club Suzuyo Shimizu F.C. Lovely Ladies, but the transfer fell through when she failed the medical.

Espeseth signed for the professional Women's United Soccer Association (WUSA) ahead of the inaugural season in 2001. She was allocated to New York Power alongside compatriot Ann Kristin Aarønes. Knee damage meant that she was only able to play for one season before retiring.{{cite news|title=Norway duo announce retirement|url=http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=10494.html|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120914020003/http://www.uefa.com/news/newsid=10494.html|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 September 2012|access-date=20 September 2014|publisher=UEFA|date=15 October 2001}}

In 2007 Espeseth returned to football as an assistant coach with her former club Sandviken. Due to the unavailability of several players, she made a guest appearance as a player in July 2007, six years after her retirement.{{cite news|last1=Langeland|first1=Knut|title=- En ren gjesteopptreden|url=http://www.bt.no/100Sport/fotball/kvinner/-118663_1.snd|access-date=20 September 2014|publisher=Bergens Tidende|date=6 July 2007|language=no}} She was substituted after 40 minutes of Sandviken's Toppserien 9–0 defeat by Røa IL.

Honours

=Olympics=

Atlanta 1996 – bronze
Sydney 2000 – gold

=FIFA Women's World Cup=

1991 FIFA World Cup in China – silver
1995 FIFA World Cup in Sweden – gold

Personal life

Espeseth gave birth to son Brage in 2002.{{cite news|last1=Jørstad|first1=Atle|title=Gro Espeseth: Derfor er tiden med fotball forbi|url=http://www.vg.no/rampelys/tv/reality-tv/gro-espeseth-derfor-er-tiden-med-fotball-forbi/a/10121997/|access-date=20 September 2014|publisher=Verdens Gang|date=10 February 2014|language=no}}

References

External links

{{FIFA player|512}}

[https://web.archive.org/web/20011026030334/http://www.wusa.com/players/esp177981.html Profile] at Women's United Soccer Association (New York Power)
{{sports links}}

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Category:1972 births

Category:Living people

Category:Norwegian women's footballers

Category:Footballers at the 1996 Summer Olympics

Category:Footballers at the 2000 Summer Olympics