Stabæk was for a number of years a club rich in tradition in Norwegian women’s football. Before the 2019 season, the club from Bærum had two league golds and three cup golds since 2010. They used to place themselves in the upper half of the table – until – that season. Then there was the difficult trip down to the 1st division, and there was a crisis in the club. But then Per Inge Jacobsen made the trip from India to Nadderud. He says that the India adventure has benefited him, and he has taken some experience with him to his current club. – Playing major championships and seeing the demands and consequences that Stephen Constantine set for them, I try to take that with me into everyday life here. We try to set the standard as high as possible, Stephen was extremely skilled there, says Jacobsen. – Young and small homogenous group There is one thing in particular that is recurring with the Stabæk gang. Namely, continuity. – We have continuity in the player group and the management group. We have had few changes each year and we have managed to keep the tribe. We have worked on the things we have to work on and continuity is clearly a key, he says. TURNED BACK: Per Inge Jacobsen has got Stabæk, steeped in tradition, right in the keel. Photo: VEGARD GRØTT / BILDBYRÅN The Stabæk coach points out that it was a good group from the start, but that there was a bit to work with. – There were many young players and a small homogeneous group. There were a couple experienced, but many younger. We have worked to have the right experienced players, and still have to be good at player development. We’ve been very successful with that, it’s fun, says Jacobsen. After promotion in 2020, it was still hardly possible that Stabæk stayed in the top division in the season that followed. But when they finally got a new contract, they really started to climb the system. Because they became part of the new series system in the Toppserien, where four teams will play in the play-offs, while the rest fight to stay in the league. Most people thought before the season that it was Brann, Rosenborg, Vålerenga and LSK Kvinner that would capture the four places. But it has not turned out that way. Because where LSK’s season has been marked by poor results, Stabæk has seized the opportunity with both hands. On top of it all, there will be a cup final on Saturday. – Can you say you had faith in this when the season started? – Yes, that’s clear, smiles Jacobsen. – No, it’s a bit more than expected, that’s what it is. Playing in a cup final is big in itself, and making the playoffs was a goal we had as there wasn’t much else to play for. We talked a lot about it before the season, that we should hang on as long as possible in the fight for fourth place. Stabæk is playing in its first cup final since 2013. – Very heavy Among those who have been part of the “whole” adventure is Melissa Bjånesøy (30), who came to Stabæk in 2014. In other words, she also took part in the somewhat surprising relegation . – It was very difficult to move down. We had been on the decline for a while, something that culminated in a relegation. It was very difficult for this team, Bjånesøy told news. VETERAN: Stabæk player Melissa Bjånesøy. Photo: VEGARD GRØTT / BILDBYRÅN At this time she was also one of the oldest on the team, and the stable as a whole was younger at the time. – We are still very young, but we have built and built. Developing together is one of the most fun things I know. Seeing the difference between those who are here now, versus the same ones who were here three years ago, has been really fun, says the Stabæk veteran. The younger ones impress And one of the younger players she may be aiming for is Sunniva Skoglund (20), who guards the cage in Stabæk and has been selected for the Norwegian national team in recent meetings. – We gained self-confidence, where we won almost all the matches in the 1st division. We scored a lot of goals and conceded few. We had a bit of a tough season last year where we were close to relegation or qualifying, but we managed. And then we have managed to build on the game we have, because we have a team that likes to play. We have kept to the common thread and have only gotten better and better, says Skoglund to news. PROFILE: Sunniva Skoglund guards the cage against Brann. Photo: VEGARD GRØTT / BILDBYRÅN She also believes that protecting the stables has been a key that has gradually benefited them. – We have been sharp and we have much of the same stable as we have had in the last two years. We can build on from year to year, says the national team goalkeeper. Brann therefore awaits in the cup final, where the Bergens have to be considered big favourites. They took their second straight league gold, and can top the season by taking cup gold at Ullevaal on Saturday. – We must have a top day to match Brann. We have the qualities to play our game, and if we manage to do that, I think it will go well, says Skoglund.
ttn-69
Stabæk went from crisis to top team – I think one thing has been the key – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
