Interview and Pictures by Michael Geist
English Translation by Alexa Schaun
>> Interview auf Deutsch
26.01.2008
First of all thank you for the interview and congratulations on winning the Norwegian Championship.
Please tell us a little bit about yourself. When did you start playing soccer?
Guro: I started playing for Kattem when I was 6 years old I have always loved soccer and played with my friends in my spare time. Now I study medicine and play soccer, and do not have a lot of spare time, but the time I have I use on my boyfriend and my friends.
Marie: I´m 25 years old and I started playing soccer when I was a little girl. I have always loved all kind of sports, but at a time I had to choose, and then soccer was the most natural choice. In addition to soccer I study psychology and it´s also important for me to be with my friends and family.
How do you manage to find time for both job/study and soccer?
Marie and Guro: Because of soccer, we take school over a longer period. So we get enough time to do both! We also try to structure our time and be effectiv.
Tell us about the best moment in your soccer career so far.
Guro: It must be when we won the cup final with Rĝa in 2006 that was a kick!
Marie: The NM- gold with Rĝa in 2006 was a great moment, but I also remember with joy when we won silver in the EC in 2005 with Norway. That was my first championship with the national team and a big experience.
Guro Knutsen proudly presents her medal.
Please tell us a little about your club Røa IL
Marie and Guro: Its a great club with alot of good and fun girls, and a great coach who want use to play good soccer and enjoy the game! In Rĝa there`s always a lot of laughter and smiles
Before the world championship 07 it was a close call between Kolbotn and Rĝa for the Norwegian championship but then Kolbotn lost twice at Klepp and Trondheim and Rĝa won the championship. Do you think a lot of people were surprised?
Marie and Guro: Kolbotn was the favourite, but we were the most stable team, so for some it was a surprise, but those who had followed us knew we were good enough to win.
|
Marie Knutsen (chased by Isabell Herlovsen) on June 24, 2007, against big rival Kolbotn IL
|
Two days before the season ended, Rĝa IL became Norwegian champion for the second time. But on the last game day you lost 1:5 to Kolbotn. Was it a bitter defeat?
Marie and Guro: It always terrible to loose, but we had already won the Norwegian championship, so we forgot the result pretty fast, and celebrited the good season anyway (Both laughing)
As happy as her sister about the medal she's just won: Marie Knutsen
You won 4th place at the world championship in China three months ago. Would you say you are disappointed about being so close to winning the championship or rather glad about qualifying for the Olympics next year?
Guro: Both!
Guro, you were in the national roster for the WC 07 in China but didnt get too much time at the court even though you had a good season in Toppserien.
Actually I was surprised to come to China, so I did not expect to play much before I left. But when the games started I really wanted to play and contribute. It is not fun to sit on the bench!
Marie, how did you feel when your sister was substituted in the game versus Australia?
It was just great! When I heard that Guro was substituted I got so happy! I knew how much she wanted to play and I was really happy for her. It is kind of special to get the chance to play with your sister in a WC- match, and it was a special moment for both of us! I was very proud of her and thought she did a good job.
|
Now I would like to address a different topic. Leni Larsen Kaurin will be the first Norwegian playing in Germany. She was traded from Asker FK to 1. FFC Potsdam and will play in the Bundesliga (1st German League) starting January 1st 08. How do you react upon an offer from a German club asking to play for the Bundesliga?
Marie and Guro: We would consider it, but we have our studies and family in Norway, and we also feel that we still get enough challenges here.
Who do you think will win the next championship?
Guro: Rĝa!!! (laughs) but I think it will be a close race with Asker and Kolbotn
Marie: I hope Rĝa wins of course, but Asker and Kolbotn are really good teams so it will be close!
What are you goals for the upcoming season?
Guro: I want to be a better player, and be an important player for Rĝa. I want to go in the olympic and contribute for Norway getting a medal!
Marie: I hope to do a good job for both Rĝa and Norway and contribute at my best so both Rĝa and Norway will win some medals this year!
Guro Knutsen (left) is already looking forward to exciting duels with Kolbotn (here Camilla Huse) in the fight for the Norwegian Championship.
Zur Internationalseite
Zur FanSoccer-Startseite
|
