Chance of a Lifetime

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Sist oppdatert: 12. sep 2018 Skrevet av: admin

 

Between Christmas and New Years 2014, I was contacted by Arne Utvik about joining the coaching staff for the women´s soccer team at Avaldsnes. He explained his long term vision and was convinced that through his commitment to the women´s game, it would be a success.

At the conclusion of the 2105 season, the Avaldsnes Damer Elite finished a best ever second place in the Toppserien which guaranteed us a playoff position the following year for Champions League. That season we also progressed to the Norwegian Cup Final losing to Lillistrøm.

2016 was a year where we traveled to Finland for the Champions League qualification which we adanced to face Lyon. The opportunity to play against the best women´s soccer team in the World was a great challenge. Our game at home drew over 5,000 spectators and generated great interest for our club. Although we lost both games, everyone was very proud of the job they had done. That season we also finished in second place which earned us the right to qualify for the Champions League Playoff in 2017.

Last season, we traveled to Montenagro and made it through our qualification table and drew Barcelona in the first round. There was another great crowd at our home game, but we were unable to progress to the next round. That season we finished in second place and won the Cup Final making us the best women´s team in Norway.

This year traveling to Croatia, we won our table and advanced to the first round of the Champions League Playoff. Like in 2016, we drew Lyon for a home and away series, all the training staff and players know that challenges that await us in September.

Along the way we have had many talented keepers at the club:

AD Franch (2015)                                       USWNT #3

Hildegunn Sævik                                          Norwegian U19 National Team

Madalyn Schiffel (2016)                             USWNT U21/Toppserien Keeper of the Year

Hildegunn Sævik                                          Norwegian U19 National Team

Katie Fraine (2017)                                    USWNT #5/#12 Best Keeper in the World

Line Johansen (2018)                                 Danish National Team

Chanté Sandiford                                         Guyanan National Team

I have been very lucky, humbled, and blessed being a part of all the success this team has achieved. Being part of three Champions League births has been beyond my wildest dreams. There are times that peope forget that this team would not be so successful without Arne Utvik´s impact. Without him, this team would be nothing.

 

Carl Gregor