Norway are one of the stronger teams, see how they're set for Germany.

Former World, European and Olympic champions Norway were once the undoubted queens of women's soccer. And now, after more than a decade in the wilderness, they are vying to reclaim their crown.

Although Eli Landsem's side maintained their record of appearing at every Women's World Cup, perhaps such a blistering record during qualification belies the nation's recent travails. After easily qualifying for the play-off, they dispatched Ukraine in the crucial knock-out fixture.

And despite being among the pre-tournament favourites for this year's showpiece, success in Germany will arguably upset the form book. Between 1987 and 2000, the Gresshoppene won back-to-back European Championships, a World Cup and gold at the Olympics.

It looked as though this corner of Scandinavia was set to dominate for years to come and yet Norway are without a major honour in 11 years and five players even refused to play under former-boss Bjarne Berntsen. After scraping through their group at the 2009 European Championships, they were knocked out in the semi-finals by a German side that beat them in the opening game 4-0.

But now a change of manager has led to disillusioned players returning and Norway look ready to challenge among the world's elite in Germany 2011. With talent plucked from almost all of the elite leagues across the planet, expect Landsem's side to make it well beyond the group stage in Germany. But it remains to be seen whether or not these former queens are ready to finally claim the crown once again.