1997 Algarve Cup

The 1997 Algarve Cup was the fourth edition of the Algarve Cup, an invitational women's association football tournament. It took place between 10 and 16 March 1997 in Portugal with Norway winning the event for the third time in its history, defeating the PR China, 1-0 in the final-game. Sweden ended up third defeating Denmark, 6-5 following a penalty shootout, in the third prize-game.

Format
The Netherlands returned to the tournament, replacing Russia.

The eight invited teams were split into two groups that played a round-robin tournament. On completion of this, the fourth placed teams in each group would play each other to determine seventh and eighth place, the third placed teams in each group would play each other to decide fifth and sixth place, the second placed teams in each group would play to determine third and fourth place and the winners of each group would compete for first and second place overall.

Points awarded in the group stage followed the standard formula of three points for a win, one point for a draw and zero points for a loss.

Seventh Place
Portugal finished bottom of their group for the fourth year in a row and lost the seventh place play-off on penalties to Iceland.

Third Place
1996 runners up Sweden finished in third place overall after winning a penalty shootout following a goalless game.

Final
Norway won the competition for the third time thanks to Hege Riise's 75th-minute penalty.