– The dream was to become a professional. When you’re young, you imagine playing on the biggest stages in Europe, says Oscar Kapskarmo to news. He is enjoying the warm sun in Marbella on the Spanish south coast. This is where Glimt has had its season warm-up. But the way here was by no means given. Just six months ago he played in the 2nd division for the Bodø team Junkeren. The Bodø/Glimt striker started his football career at home in the holiday village of Hattfjelldal at a young age. It is a long way from Hattfjelldal to Marbella, where Glimt has been at a training camp this winter. They went straight from Spain to the Netherlands before Thursday’s meeting in the Serie Liga. Photo: Marius Guttormsen / news Most of the time was spent on the lawn or the local football field. – We only had one football field, but that was enough for us, he says. On Thursday evening, the dream will come true, when the big team Ajax will be on the opposite side of the pitch at the mighty Johan Cruyff Arena in Amsterdam. Stars such as former Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson and the great talent Brian Brobbey await there. – Big step In the run-up to the European matches, there is one question in particular that the Glimt supporters ask themselves: Who will play forward against Ajax? In recent weeks, the name of Kapskarmo has become increasingly relevant. As the only striker ready to play in the Glimt squad, Oskar Kapskarmo can start at the top away against Ajax. Photo: Ola Helness / news The right winger is Kjetil Knutsen’s only pure striker option against Ajax. Both Runar Espejord and Kasper Høgh are out with injuries and last year’s first choice Pemi Faris Moumbagna has been sold to Marseille. Half a year ago, he played 2nd division football for the district club Junkeren from Bodø – and had not played at a level higher than level three in Norway as recently as last autumn. – I was very surprised when Glimt came on the pitch, and going from being semi-professional to playing in the Eliteserien was a dream come true. The 24-year-old scored goals in both the Eliteserien and Europe in his first Glimt season. Photo: Marius Guttormsen / news – And now you’re going to Europe? – It is a big step, but if you work hard over time, you adapt to the level. I feel that I am taking new steps all the way, says Kapskarmo confidently. Impressed by the physics news’s football expert Carl Erik Torp has allowed himself to be impressed by Kapskarmo. – He has done a good job when he has had the opportunity. From what I have heard, Kjetil Knutsen is very happy with him. news’s football expert Carl Erik Torp says that it is not entirely lucky for Glimt to have only one striker available but Ajax. At the same time, he praises Oscar Kapskarmo. Photo: Birk Pessl-Kleiven / news Torp particularly highlights the 24-year-old’s physical skills. – He seems fearless and has an extreme physique. These are the qualities Knutsen and co. has taken notice. He’s a big bragging guy who takes matters into his own hands. You are dazzled by that. – How unique is his journey from the 2nd division to the Johan Cruyff Arena? – There are probably some other Glimt players who have had a similar journey from second-team play to AC Milan in Jens Petter Hauge. What is special is that he is joining the Glimt system now, after they have become a major power in Norwegian football. Keeping the team a secret On Wednesday, coach Kjetil Knutsen and new signing Håkon Evjen held a press conference before the match against Ajax. The latter started as a striker in the last training match against Malmö FF, and is another top option. Kjetil Knutsen was tight-lipped about the line-up against Ajax at Wednesday’s press conference. Photo: Erlend Havsgård Martinsen / news Knutsen, however, did not want to reveal the line-up the day before the match. – Everyone knows that Håkon has been brought in as an inside runner. I don’t understand the question, he replied to whether Evjen is intended for the forward position. – You will receive the answer 75 minutes before the start of the match. We have a plan, but we won’t say much about that today, said the coach. Evjen or Kapskarmo at the top? It is one of the choices Kjetil Knutsen must make before the match against Ajax. Photo: Kai Jæger Kristoffersen / news When Evjen was asked the same question, the coach broke in before the player could answer: – Take care now, Knutsen said with a twinkle in his eye. Evjen himself replied that he returned to Glimt to play inside runner. – That is what is in mind going forward. If, for example, I were to play left-back, it would also be very exciting. Bodø/Glimt plays away to Ajax in the Serieligaen on Thursday at 21:00. You can hear the match on news Sport on the radio or in the news Radio app.
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Oscar Kapskarmo played in the 2nd division half a year ago – now he can start against Ajax – news Nordland
