Solheim Cup - Anna Nordqvist captain's column: Team Europe's pairings 'puzzle' and why 'aggressive' rookies can impress

Team Europe is finalised!

I feel this is a big milestone in this captaincy and the Solheim Cup journey, because we can now focus on preparing the 12 players for the Solheim Cup and the event ahead.

It was a quite hard and emotional part of the journey having to make so many phone calls, letting players know they didn't make it and they weren't getting a pick.

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Speaking to some past captains, they encouraged me to do my best and try to get through it because once it was done, then the hardest part would be behind me.

Surprising the three rookies - Julia López Ramirez, Nastasia Nadaud and Mimi Rhodes - by letting them know they were among my four picks was very exciting!

Julia, Nastasia and Mimi all joined me for interviews and a live show down at the Sky Sports News studio, the day after the AIG Women's Open, where the team was finally announced.

I feel very good about the team we have selected and who has qualified. We have a great mixture of experience and personality, plus four rookies who bring a sense of fresh air and aggressive playing styles.

I'm excited to continue to work on the pairing "puzzle" over the coming weeks and figure out the best strategy for us to take on Team USA. I'm also excited that everyone is so supportive and looking forward to what is ahead next month.

There is still a couple more weeks until we all head to the Netherlands, but there is constant work and preparation being done behind the scenes - including from the vice-captains, backroom team, helpers and caddie captains!

Anna Nordqvist's column was provided by the Ladies European Tour ahead of the Solheim Cup, live from September 11-13 on Sky Sports. Get Sky Sports or stream with no contract.

When is the Solheim Cup and who features for Team Europe?

Team Europe will be looking to regain the trophy at Bernardus Golf from September 11-13, the first time the tournament has been held in the Netherlands, with Nordqvist having four rookies in her 12-strong line-up.

Charley Hull and Esther Henseleit qualified through the LET Solheim Cup Points List, while Lottie Woad, Maja Stark, Linn Grant, Céline Boutier, Carlota Ciganda and Nanna Koerstz Madsen earned their spots via the Rolex Women's World Golf Rankings.

Leona Maguire, Ramirez, Nadaud and Rhodes were the four captain's picks for Team Europe, while defending champions Team USA - captained by Angela Stanford - will announce her team later in August.

Sky Sports Golf will have exclusive live coverage from all three days of the biennial contest, with live coverage getting under way at 6am on Friday September 11. Coverage then starts at 6am on September 12 and 10am on September 13.

Team USA need 14 points to retain the trophy after their 15.5-12.5 victory in 2024, while Team Europe would need 14.5 points to claim their first outright Solheim Cup win since 2021.

Who will win the Solheim Cup? Watch Team Europe's bid to regain the trophy exclusively live on Sky Sports, with all three days live from September 11-13 on Sky Sports Golf. Get Sky Sports or stream golf and more with no contract.

(c) Sky Sports 2026: Solheim Cup - Anna Nordqvist captain's column: Team Europe's pairings 'puzzle' and why 'aggressive' rookies can impress