Top Series, Football | Seven years old, Julie Blakstad sent a letter to the RBK hero. This fall, they came face to face:

The 19-year-old is considered one of Norway’s greatest football talents. This year’s young player in the Toppserien in 2019 rejected lucrative foreign offers on the way to Trondheim, but it was probably no coincidence.

For Blakstad has for a long time been a sworn supporter of the Trondheim club. With two series rounds left, Rosenborg is one poor point behind league leader Vålerenga in the battle for the gold.

– It was a very abrupt start and straight into battle. I came here one day before the start of the series. It has actually exceeded all expectations and there were probably not many who had thought that we would fight for the gold with two series rounds left. In addition, I joined the national team gathering and got playing time for Norway, which is about the biggest thing you can do as a football player. It is incredibly cool to try and I hope I can establish myself there, says Blakstad to Nettavisen about the season so far.

WATCH LIVE Saturday 12.30: Studio broadcast with a goal show from the Toppserien

The RBK star was on the field when Norway secured the European Championship place in Wales last week. The achievements of undefeated Rosenborg have been noticed.

– We have many good players, but it has gone well. A lot because you play on a team that plays at the top. It is noticed when you contribute with goals and goal points. I feel I have had a good season myself, she says.

Rosenborg star on each team

Blakstad’s football interest started at home in Ottestad in the Hamar area. From a young age, Rosenborg captured the interest of both her and her brother, well helped by an avid football dad.

– Me, my brother and dad have been Rosenborg supporters. Mom may not have been as eager to follow football, but she has been eager to follow me and my siblings.

The story from when she was seven years old is still a clear memory, and the 19-year-old chuckles a little today, when she thinks back to the time she sent a letter to a young Per Ciljan Skjelbred, and received an autograph in return.

– My brother and I had an excel sheet, where we wrote down the number of goals we scored during a season when we were smaller. We had an internal competition about who scored the most and then we wrote it in a letter to RBK, at the same time as we asked for an autograph from them. Then we signed a team photo and a separate football card with Per Ciljan, she explains about the story that has previously been mentioned in Aftenposten.

Also read: Gold thriller in the Toppserien

The former Hertha Berlin star returned home to Rosenborg this summer after several years in Germany. Coincidentally, Blakstad also signed for the club in the same period.

Now they are both stars on their respective RBK teams.

– Have you talked to Skjelbred?

– We really spend very little time with the gentlemen, especially now with the corona we have to stay in our own cohorts, but he was and gave a lecture for us earlier this year, she explains.

– Did you ask if he remembered the letter you sent?

– Maybe I should have said something about it, but I did not. I pretended not to know him. I do not know him exactly either, but I do not think he remembers. When I think about it, I should perhaps ask if he remembers that he received a letter, but I did not raise my hand, it will be another time when the opportunity arises, she says with laughter in her voice.

SATURDAY 13.00: You can watch the match between Rosenborg and Sandviken live on Nettavisen Direktesport.

– More interest because of the name

Blakstad explains that she has the impression that the club has a goal that the teams will do more together eventually, but as a result of the corona situation, it has naturally become difficult this season. She has nevertheless noticed that it is something special to play with the RBK logo on her chest.

– You notice a difference that it is Rosenborg, even though I was not here before, it is clear that it is a change. A lot more resources are used in the club. There will be more interest just because we are called Rosenborg and because of the brand. It’s a bit strange really, because there are a lot of the same players and team as last year.

Blakstad has also noticed more interest in his own person. Seven goals in 16 games in the Toppserien and a debut on the A national team are noticed.

Previously, both Hege Riise and national team manager Martin Sjøgren have described her as “absolutely one of the greatest talents they have seen”.

– So how did you become so good, Julie?

– I have had the interest and willingness to train at the bottom. I have done other things too, but it was football that was the most fun from the start. I still love a ski or jog, or a hike in the mountains. I feel I have good capacity and I think it comes from the fact that I have been doing other things growing up. The physical is perhaps a merit that I have been versatile. But I have also worked a lot with the ball to get good at it, so I have spent a number of hours on the loop. I have especially played a lot with boys over the years.

– I was good and technical at an early age. If I am to describe myself, I am probably a typical 16 to 16 player who can run a lot, she explains.

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Waiting for Manchester United?

The midfielder makes no secret of the fact that many clubs have shown interest in her services in recent months, but Blakstad has proven several times that she is a patient soul. She does not stress about taking a new step on the career ladder.

– There is no hurry. It is flattering to get an offer, but you also do not want to go to a club and sit on the bench for three years without playing. That assessment must be made.

Blakstad has no dream destination in European football at the moment, but she does not hide who is her favorite club.

– I have not really had a favorite team on the women’s side, but I cheer for Manchester United on the men’s side. It is not so long since they started the women’s team, but it can quickly get better there then, she says about the team which is in 3rd place in the Women’s Super League after five games.

– In other words, you are waiting for them to establish themselves as a top team and want to pick you up?

– Hehe, yes maybe so. No, but I think the French, German, Spanish or English league all have good teams, she says.

In any case, there are still two league matches left in the Toppserien here at home in Norway. Vålerenga has the advantage in the battle for the league gold, but Blakstad has by no means given up completely yet.

– A lot can happen these rounds. On paper, Vålerenga has a lighter program than us, so it is in their hands. But it is allowed to hope that they will stumble a little on the road. I think there will be excitement until the last match. If it is silver, I think everyone would have welcomed it with open arms before the season, Blakstad concludes.

Watch the Toppserien goal show with Nettavisen’s Adrian Richvoldsen on Saturday from 12.30!

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