Hege Riise
Midfielder / Winger · Asker SK · Norway
About Hege Riise
Hege Riise was Norway's greatest player of the 1990s and one of the most complete attacking midfielders in women's football history — a World Cup winner and Olympic gold medallist who combined technical elegance with decisive big-game performances.
Hege Riise's story
Sunndalsøra to the Top
Hege Riise was born on 18 July 1969 in Sunndalsøra, a small coastal town in western Norway. She developed in Norwegian domestic football and became the country's finest midfielder — an attacking player of exceptional quality whose reading of the game and technical ability set her apart from her contemporaries.
World Cup & Olympic Gold
Riise was the creative heartbeat of Norwegian women's football through its golden era. She won the Women's World Cup in 1995 as Norway triumphed on home soil in Sweden, and added Olympic gold at Atlanta 1996. She was also part of the squad that won the 1993 World Cup — making her a two-time world champion.
The Golden Generation
Riise was central to a Norwegian golden generation that included Ann Kristin Aarones, Linda Medalen, and goalkeeper Bente Nordby. Together they dominated world football for nearly a decade, setting standards that put Norwegian women's football on the map internationally.
Coaching Career
After retirement Riise moved into coaching, becoming one of the most respected coaches in the women's game. She served as head coach of England's national team in an interim capacity in 2021, and has been involved in Norwegian club coaching. Her football intelligence translated seamlessly from player to coach.
Did you know?
- Riise is a two-time Women's World Cup winner (1991 and 1995) and Olympic gold medallist (1996) — one of the most decorated players in Norwegian football history.
- She named the Golden Ball as the best player at the 1995 Women's World Cup, cementing her status as the finest female player in the world at that time.
- Riise went on to become head coach of England Women in an interim capacity in 2021, making her one of the few players to win a World Cup and then coach a major international women's team.
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