– That is the biggest thing you can win. It’s the ultimate. It means everything to be involved. It means a lot to do well in a WC as well. We are a small nation with small opportunities, but we see that the ball is round and everything is possible, says Graham Hansen to news. In less than a month, she and the rest of the national team will be in place “Down Under” for the world championships held in Australia and New Zealand. On Tuesday, she met the press, during the national team’s meeting in Oslo. If we turn the clock back just under a year, it was far from a given that the 28-year-old would be part of Hege Riise’s national team squad, which aims to win its group in the championship. – Unable to go on a rampage On 24 August last year, the Barcelona star took to Instagram to say that she had chosen to take a break from the Norwegian national team. In front of news, on 27 June this year, she talks candidly about the election. – Everyone has probably been there once, that you have worked too much over a period of time and feel that you need a break. If you pull the elastic too far, you will have a bang. I was at the point where I couldn’t take it anymore, says Graham Hansen and adds: TIRED: Graham Hansen after the EC exit against Austria last summer. Photo: VEGARD GRØTT / BILDBYRÅN – I need a break for myself for once. I have been involved in this game since I was 16 years old and I think it is normal that there may be periods when you feel that it is too much. The decision to take a break came after an EC with the Norwegian national team which ended with a farewell in the group stage, and which is best remembered for the 0-8 defeat against England. In addition, the year before, she underwent an operation for heart rhythm disorders. – The break you took last autumn, did you think at that time that there wouldn’t be a WC? – No. I guess I never thought that there wouldn’t be a World Cup, but I was more there that it doesn’t matter that much if there is a World Cup. I wasn’t there that I had a plan about when I was going back, says Graham Hansen. – We need the best When asked by news if she was worried that Graham Hansen would not join this summer’s championship, national team manager Riise is resoundingly clear: – Of course. UNSURE: National team manager Hege Risse says that she did not take it for granted that Graham Hansen would join the WC. Photo: Ole Berg-Rusten / NTB On Tuesday, she also opened up about the period until Graham Hansen declared himself ready for the championship. – She was tired and signaled it. You don’t know how long it will take. We had a bit of a dialogue, while I didn’t want to push too much. Rest is needed. Over Christmas, after some contact, I noticed that she started to communicate a little, wanted to hear how we had been at gatherings and such, and then the conversations increased in frequency, says Riise and adds: – Then she was a bit out with an injury , followed the matches and talked about it. It was always a hope to get her to the WC without putting too much pressure. In March this year, the Barcelona player ended his break and joined the national team before the matches against Spain and Sweden. And that the star is now at the World Cup, the national team boss is very happy with. – She adds some qualities to the team that are not there now. So bringing in her skills and experience lifts a group. We need the best, and the best collective for the individuals to shine and they need the team to have the opportunity to play at their best, concludes Riise.
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