OL Lyon hasn’t lifted the Women’s Champions League trophy in four long years, a drought that feels uncharacteristic for the reigning queen of European women’s football. With eight titles to their name, the French giants have long dominated the competition, but a new obstacle has emerged in recent seasons: the FC Barcelona Femení. For six consecutive years—excluding the COVID-affected 2020 campaign—the Spanish side has reached the final, securing three victories (2021, 2023, and 2024). Their rivalry with OL Lyon has already produced two dramatic showdowns, most recently in 2024 when Barcelona claimed the title. Now, the two powerhouses collide once more this Saturday, May 23, at 6:00 PM in Oslo, Norway, in what promises to be a clash of titans.
OL Lyon’s quest for a historic quadruple in Oslo
Under the guidance of former Barcelona coach Jonatan Giráldez, OL Lyon enters this final on a high, fresh off back-to-back domestic trophies: the Ligue de Football Féminin Cup (March 14) and the French Cup (May 10). The stage is set for an unprecedented achievement—a quadruple. Their next targets? The Champions League and the league title, which awaits them on May 29 at Groupama Stadium against Paris FC.
“We set out to reach four finals, and we’ve done it. Now, we aim to win all four. We want to send a message to Europe, showing we’re back, stronger than ever, and that we’re here to stay. And most of all, we want to make France proud.” — Selma Bacha, Lyon’s 25-year-old left-back, spoke with conviction about the team’s ambitions.
Captain Wendie Renard—whose 41 trophies with OL Lyon make her the club’s most decorated player—echoed the sentiment: “We’re writing history here, something extraordinary. But it only counts if we win, because history only remembers the winners.”
“We have a group of world-class players. Melchie Dumornay, the 22-year-old sensation fresh off two back-to-back Player of the Season awards, added, We’re hungry to prove ourselves, to show the world that Lyon has evolved. We want to do better than our last meeting with Barcelona.”
For Ada Hegerberg, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner and Lyon’s all-time top scorer, the journey back to the final symbolizes resilience: “From the outside, it might have looked easy when we won everything. But it never was. It’s incredible that we’re here again, especially after rebuilding the squad and losing so many legends. I’ve always believed OL Lyon is the best club there is to win trophies.”
Oslo awaits: a sentimental journey for Lyon’s Norwegian stars
Beyond the trophies and records, this final holds personal significance for two key players. Ada Hegerberg and Ingrid Engen, both Norwegian internationals, have the chance to lift the trophy on home soil—a dream they’ve nurtured since joining Lyon. Hegerberg, who has spent 12 years at the club, expressed her excitement: “I can’t wait to return to Norway with my team, to showcase players like Wendie Renard. She’s one of the greatest in women’s football history, and I want to bring that class and excellence to my country.”
Ingrid Engen, who made the switch from Barcelona to Lyon in the summer of 2025, shared the sentiment: “Playing in Norway carries extra weight for us. Ada and I both felt a huge responsibility, knowing how much our people wanted us to make this happen. This is where we play for our national team, and the thought of lifting this trophy here is truly special.”
For Lyon’s loyal fans unable to travel to Oslo, the final will be broadcast live on a giant screen at Place des Terreaux—home of the club’s very first official fan zone—where supporters can rally together to witness the potential crowning of a new chapter in women’s football history.
