Ada Hegerberg, Caroline Graham Hansen and the rest of Norway’s national team squad have landed in England, and it is only two days until the European Championships are kicked off. For several of Norway’s stars, this will be an opportunity to avenge the failure from 2017. At the same time, young players like Anna Jøsendal will experience everything for the first time. – It’s really cool. It is a dream come true, says Jøsendal. It is not uncommon for a debutant to be extra excited and happy before a championship – but for this 21-year-old it is extra special. It has not been certain that her career would last so long that she reached the European Championships this summer. Got scary thoughts DEBUT YEAR: This is Jøsendal’s first year on the A national team. Photo: MARIUS SIMENSEN / BILDBYRÅN NORWAY Jøsendal is facing her very first senior championship, in her first year on the A national team. In the dress rehearsal against Denmark, she got a place in the starting lineup, but she is a prelude to tough competition for playing time in the championship. But in many ways it is also a great saying to be part of the squad. For a long-term injury we have close by putting a stop to the dream. – I have been struggling with a groin injury for several years in fact, so it has been really hard. It was a little different with everything around the groin. A little different things, a little in the leg and inflammation and such, she says. It has actually been so awkward that she thought her career was in danger. – How critical was it at worst? – It was thoughts that went through me, that I might have to stop playing football and that it would never give up, when it came for the 5th and 6th gong, said the 21-year-old. But Jøsendal would not give up. And Rosenborg was part of the rescue. – One of the best in the top series After four years in Avaldsnes, she signed for Trøndelag at the beginning of the year. And since then, things have really looked different for Jøsendal. – I have come to Rosenborg and received really good help there from several physiologists. In addition, I have found out a bit of things, how it can go away again and very well on load management, so it is a mix of many things that have helped me, she says. National team manager Martin Sjögren has followed Jøsendal for a long time, and has also had to pay attention to the injury problem for the 21-year-old. FOLLOWED: Sjögren has been following Jøsendal for a long time. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB – We support with what we can, but first and foremost it is the work of the club to plan and implement her plan so that it will be as good as possible. The most important thing for Rosenborg is also that she is healthy, because they want her in play, says Sjögren. – Now she has gained continuity, and I think she has been one of the best players in the top series. Not only has she remained injury-free for the past six months, but she has also impressed a lot in her new club. That combination was so good that Sjögren gave her a place in the squad for the European Championships. – Luckily I did not give up, and kept on fighting hard, and here I stand. Now I am back and have not known anything since January and am very happy about it, says Jøsendal. Can become a “wow” player Sjögren meiner Jøsendal has many qualities that can come in handy in a championship. – Anna has many qualities that are already at a very good, international level, he says. HIGH LEVEL: The national team manager brags about Jøsendal’s qualities. Photo: Heiko Junge / NTB – She has a breakthrough power and also a left foot that is very, very nice. She has the physical parameters needed to play at the highest level internationally. news’s football expert Carl-Erik Torp has also been impressed by the 21-year-old. He thinks she can become Norway’s European Championship comet. – He’s a joker. I have said it before that I think she can have a bit of the role that Karina Sævik had in 2019, when she came in and was the “wow” player that championship, says Torp. – She is in shape, she has an international step, she has good physique, is young and fearless. Great shape in Rosenborg. There’s a joker in that championship here, absolutely. JØSENDAL-JOKER: news’s football expert Carl-Erik Torp. Photo: news Used the European Championship as a carrot After several years with injury problems, she is in full swing at the national team gathering with Norway. In a few days, departure to England awaits. – When it was at its worst, had you imagined that you were going to the European Championships then? – No, I did not have that. But at the same time it was what made me work hard and want to come back. So the European Championship goal helped me in the worst periods to work really hard, says Jøsendal. But even if the goal has been reached in one way, it still says that there is a way from being part of the squad, to getting a place in the eleven. – She fights with Julie Blakstad in the first place for that position. But she can be used in other roles as well, so it may be that she can replace offensive players also towards the end of matches when we need a little more breakthrough power, because she has a lot of that, says Torp. – It’s really tough competition, it’s my first championship at senior level. I will not have too high expectations for so much playing time, but I will at least do my job and be ready for every match, if it should happen, she says.
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Anna Jøsendal thought she was done with football – is predicted to be the next “wow” player – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcast schedule
