Q & A

The U.S. may have won the '96 Olympic gold medal in women's soccer, but Norway still holds the World Cup and has a winning record (11-9-1) against America's finest. With that in mind, we looked for a voice of authority on the sport in Scandinavia. Who better than the leading scorer in Atlanta and a former cop, Norwegian captain Linda Medalen?

Q: Is women's soccer more popular in Norway than, say, cross-country skiing or speed skating?

A: For women it's probably the second-most-important sport.

Q: What's the first?

A: Team handball. It's very big in Europe.

Q: People here say Mia Hamm is the best player in the world. Who do you think is the best?

A: In 1991 there was no doubt that Michelle Akers was the best. But now I can't say there is any player who is always the best. We have a great forward on our team named Marianne Pettersen. Mia Hamm is great, too, but I don't see her play every day.

Q: Can I call you the Mia Hamm of Norway?

A: (Long pause) I guess so.

Q: Do you do shampoo ads like she does?