[ad_1]
Julie Blakstad (19) signed for Rosenborg in July. The next day he debuted with the favorite club in what has been a season beyond all expectations.
The 19-year-old is considered one of the greatest talents in Norwegian football. This year’s young player at the Toppserien in 2019 turned down lucrative foreign offers on the way to Trondheim, but it was probably no coincidence.
Because Blakstad has long been a sworn supporter of the Trondheim club. With two rounds left in the series, Rosenborg is a poor spot behind league leader Vålerenga in the battle for gold.
– It was a very abrupt and direct start to the battle. I came here one day before the start of the series. In fact, it exceeded all expectations and probably not many thought we would fight for the gold with two rounds in the series. Also, I joined the national team meeting and got playing time for Norway, which is the most important thing you can do as a soccer player. It’s unbelievably cool to try and I hope I can settle there, Blakstad tells Nettavisen about the season so far.
WATCH LIVE Saturday 12.30pm: Studio broadcast with a Toppserien goal show
The RBK star was on the field when Norway secured their spot at the European Championships in Wales last week. Unbeaten Rosenborg’s accomplishments have been noted.
– We have a lot of good players, but it went well. Much because you play in a team that plays at the top. It shows when you contribute goals and goal points. I feel like I’ve had a good season too, he says.
Julie Blakstad from Rosenborg has established herself as one of the most important players on the team.
Photo: Heiko Junge (NTB)
Rosenborg star on each team
Blakstad’s interest in football started at home in Ottestad in the Hamar area. From a young age, Rosenborg captured the interest of both her and her brother, well helped by an avid father of soccer.
– My brother, dad and I have been supporters of Rosenborg. Mom may not have been so eager to follow soccer, but she has been eager to follow me and my brothers.
The story from when she was seven remains a clear memory, and the 19-year-old laughs a bit today, when she thinks back to the time she sent a letter to a young Per Ciljan Skjelbred and received an autograph in return.
– My brother and I had an Excel sheet, where we wrote down the number of goals we scored during a season when we were younger. We had an internal competition about who got the most scores and then we wrote it in a letter to RBK, at the same time we asked for an autograph. We then signed a team photo and a separate soccer card with Per Ciljan, she explains about the story that was mentioned above on Aftenposten.
Also read: Golden Thriller in Toppserien
The former Hertha Berlin star returned home to Rosenborg this summer after several years in Germany. Coincidentally, Blakstad also signed for the club in the same period.
Now both are stars in their respective RBK teams.
– Have you talked to Skjelbred?
– We really spend very little time with the knights, especially now with the crown, we have to stay in our own cohorts, but he was and gave us a lecture earlier this year, he explains.
– Did you ask him if he remembered the letter you sent?
– Maybe I should have said something about it, but I didn’t. I pretended not to know him. I don’t know him exactly either, but I don’t think he remembers. When I think about it, maybe I should ask him if he remembers that he received a letter, but I did not raise my hand, it will be at another time when the opportunity arises, he says with a laugh in his voice.
SATURDAY 13.00: The game between Rosenborg and Sandviken can be seen live on Nettavisen Direktesport.
Per Ciljan Skjelbred was a boy from Brakstad until his childhood. This summer they both signed for Rosenborg.
Photo: Ole Martin Wold (NTB)
– More interest in the name
Blakstad explains that he is under the impression that the club is aiming for the teams to do more together eventually, but as a result of the crown situation, it has naturally become difficult this season. However, he has noticed that it is something special to play with the RBK logo on his chest.
– You can see a difference that is Rosenborg, although I was not here before, it is clear that it is a change. Many more resources are used in the club. There will be more interest just because our name is Rosenborg and because of the brand. It really is a bit strange, because there are a lot of the same players and team as last year.
Blakstad has also noticed more interest in his own person. There are seven goals in 16 games in the Toppserien and a debut in the A team.
Norway’s Julie Blakstad during the European Soccer Championship qualifier between Wales and Norway in Cardiff, Wales. Photo: Chris Fairweather / Huw Evans Agency / NTB
Photo: Chris Fairweather / huw Evans agency (NTB)
Previously, both Hege Riise and the national team coach Martin Sjøgren described her as “absolutely one of the greatest talents they have ever seen.”
– So how did you get so good, Julie?
– I have had the interest and the will to train from below. I’ve done other things too, but soccer was the most fun from the beginning. I still love skiing or jogging, or hiking in the mountains. I feel like I have a good ability and I think it’s due to the fact that I’ve been doing other things growing up. The physical is perhaps a merit of my versatility. But I have also worked a lot with the ball to be good at it, so I have spent several hours on the circuit. I have especially played a lot with boys over the years.
– I was good and technical at a young age. If I have to describe myself, I’m probably a typical 16-16 player who can run a lot, she explains.
Waiting for Manchester United?
The midfielder does not hide that many clubs have shown interest in her services in recent months, but Blakstad has shown on several occasions that she is a patient soul. She does not worry about taking a new step in the career.
– There is no rush, it is flattering to receive an offer, but you also do not want to go to a club and sit on the bench for three years without playing. That evaluation must be done.
Blakstad does not have a dream destination in European football at the moment, but he does not hide who his favorite club is.
– I haven’t really had a favorite team on the women’s side, but I do cheer on Manchester United on the men’s side. It hasn’t been that long since they started the women’s team, but it can improve quickly there then, it says about the team that is in third place in the women’s Super League after five games.
– In other words, are you waiting for them to establish themselves as a superior team and want to pick you up?
– Hehe, yeah, maybe. No, but I think the French, German, Spanish or English league has good teams, he says.
In any case, there are still two league games left in the Toppserien here at home in Norway. Vålerenga has the upper hand in the battle for league gold, but Blakstad has yet to give up completely.
– A lot can happen in these rounds. On paper, Vålerenga has a lighter program than we do, so it is in his hands. But hopefully they stumble a bit along the way. I think there will be excitement until the last game. If it’s silver, I think everyone would have welcomed it with open arms before the season, concludes Blakstad.
Catch the Toppserien Goal Show with Nettavisen’s Adrian Richvoldsen on Saturday from 12.30pm!
[ad_2]
