The wait has been long—four years since OL Lyonnes, formerly known as Olympique Lyonnais Féminin, last lifted the UEFA Women’s Champions League trophy. For the most decorated club in the competition’s history with eight titles, this dry spell feels like an eternity. Yet the French side, now led by president Michele Kang, remains built for dominance. The challenge? A relentless obstacle has stood in their path for six straight years: FC Barcelone.
The Catalan giants have reached six consecutive Champions League finals in that span (excluding the COVID-affected season), clinching three victories in 2021, 2023, and 2024. The rivalry has already seen two high-stakes clashes—OL Lyonnes claimed the 2022 crown, while Barcelona seized the 2024 title. Now, as the two powerhouses prepare to meet again this Saturday, May 23, at 6:00 PM in Oslo, Norway, the stage is set for a clash of titans.
OL Lyonnes targets historic quadruple with Champions League glory in Oslo
Under the guidance of former Barcelona assistant Jonatan Giráldez, OL Lyonnes enters the final stretch of a season brimming with ambition. Already victorious in the Coupe de la Ligue (March 14) and the Coupe de France (May 10), the team eyes an unprecedented quadruple: Champions League supremacy and a triumph in the Arkema Première Ligue (May 29 against Paris FC at Groupama Stadium).
“We set out to reach four finals—and we’ve done it. Now, we aim for four trophies. We want to send a message to Europe: we’re back, stronger, and determined to make France proud.” declares Selma Bacha, the 25-year-old full-back, her voice brimming with conviction. Her captain, the legendary Wendie Renard—holder of 41 trophies with OL Lyonnes—echoes the sentiment: “We’re crafting history, something extraordinary. But only victory will immortalize it; history remembers only champions.”
“We boast a squad of world-class talent, says rising star Melchie Dumornay, 22, fresh off back-to-back Player of the Season awards. We’re eager to showcase our growth, prove the club’s resilience, and outshine our last meeting with Barcelona.”
The pursuit of a ninth Champions League title would cement OL Lyonnes’ unrivaled status in European women’s football. Ada Hegerberg, the club’s Ballon d’Or-winning striker (2018), reflects on the journey: “From the outside, it may have looked effortless when we dominated. But it never was. Returning to the final after a coaching change and the departure of legends is no small feat. OL Lyonnes remains the ultimate stage for champions.”
Oslo’s stage: a sentimental journey for OL’s Norwegian stars
Beyond the records and rivalries, this final carries personal significance for two of OL Lyonnes’ most cherished players. Norwegian internationals Ada Hegerberg and Ingrid Engen—both with deep roots in the club—will step onto the pitch in their home nation, determined to deliver a masterclass in football.
“Returning to Norway with my team is a dream, beams Hegerberg, who has spent 12 seasons at OL Lyonnes. I want to showcase players like Wendie Renard—one of the greatest in women’s football—to our people. To demonstrate the class, the sheer brilliance, that defines us.”
Ingrid Engen, who swapped Barcelona for Lyon in summer 2025, shares the sentiment: “Playing in Norway is surreal. Ada and I carried the weight of this moment; we needed to bring this final home, to the stadium where we usually don our national colors.”
For fans unable to make the trip to Oslo, the match will be broadcast live on a giant screen at Place des Terreaux, where OL Lyonnes will inaugurate its very first fan zone, uniting supporters in celebration of their team’s quest for glory.
