– The whole season almost went up in smoke, Eirik Ulland Andersen tells news. In May last year during the cup final against Bodø/Glimt, the Molde star tore his cruciate ligament, an injury he is still fighting to recover from. – I am working very hard to get back, says the 30-year-old. He still can’t play football, and has spent more time in the gym than on green grass for the past year. At the same time, there have been rumors about where his future belongs. In January, Haugesund’s Avis wrote that Haugesund had declined Ulland Andersen’s services. – It was really more of a conversation to see what they thought, and think a little about my future. I was without a contract at Christmas time and nothing had been settled with Molde, he tells news. MOLDE-STJERNE: Eirik Ulland Andersen has long been a big profile in Norwegian football, but injuries have caused problems for the winger. Photo: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB Got help in a difficult time However, the Romsdal club had not given up on the winger. At a time when everything looked darkest, on an expiring contract and with a serious injury, coach Erling Moe and Molde reached out a helping hand. – He was injured in the cup final last year, and is a fantastic guy to have in the group. And we have a rule at the club that, when such a good and talented player is injured, we have to keep him here until he recovers. He is so good that, when he recovers, he will be a contributor, says Moe to news. – I am very grateful that Molde is giving me that chance considering that I am still injured. I really appreciate that, and I will do everything I can to make it a good investment for Molde, says the player who was signed from Strømsgodset in 2019. COACH AND STUDENT: Erling Moe together with Ulland Andersen. Photo: Svein Ove Ekornesvåg / NTB – Made me stronger This is not the first time Ulland Andersen has experienced the injury nightmare. Twice before, he has been forced into longer breaks from football. People can be negatively affected by less, being robbed of the opportunity to practice your profession and what you love to do. Ulland Andersen has tried to turn it into something positive. – I think it has made me stronger as a footballer and as a person. Of course, I would have been without those injuries, but this is what has helped shape me. I think I have come out of it stronger every time, and I intend to do that now too, he says determinedly. – You are only 30 years old, what kind of goals do you have for the rest of your career? – I have a lot that I want to do. I want to contribute to a league title, contribute properly and play, and then I want to play in Europe again. Those matches in the Europa League in 2021 were incredibly great to be part of, and I want to experience that again. Worthless gold medals Ulland Andersen has two league golds with Molde, but struggles to take ownership of his achievements. Due to injuries, playing time has been limited in the golden seasons. He wants to change that this year. – I have a gold medal at home, but it doesn’t have much value to me. I played 4-5 games and have incredible respect for what the guys managed then and what they managed last year, and it is a natural goal for me to contribute properly to something like that, he says. The motivation is in place. Because even though the injuries have been difficult to deal with, there has never been any question of giving up. – No, there has been no alternative. For my part, it is not the time to reflect on this either, now I just want to come back and have a good year. Molde opens the series away against Tromsø on Monday 10 April.
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Eirik Ulland Andersen’s injury nightmare – got his contract renewed by Molde in a difficult period – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
