“Njut och känn Glädje” (Enjoy and feel happiness)

Life as a coach

Coaching for TikiTaka has been better than I expected! I am working with Tyresö, Vendelsö and starting a new project with Olympen Skolan! My first day with Vendelso we were short one coach.  I asked one of my best friends and my old Swedish teammate at Florida Southern, Hanna Jansson if she could join.  When I first sent the message out Hanna responded right away and even left her work early.  We arrived to the field, met the coaches and worked with the Vendelsö girls. The players were awesome and Hanna was absolutely incredible with the kids. The energy was high, the session was fun and it was truly special.  It had a nice Swedish American twist that was unique because it was a session run by two girl coaches.  We received nothing but extremely positive feedback and were on a high after the session!

 

We were waiting for the bus back and then the bus did not stop for us… I guess the driver didn’t see us. It took my “high” away a little bit because it was late, cold and I was ready to be home but then my wise friend Hanna said, “If we are going to have to wait we might as well make the best of it. Lets train!!” (My high came back) We started running sprints behind the bus stop, did some quick feet on the sidewalk, squats and core.  It was so much fun and it made me happy we missed the bus! When something doesn’t go right something better might come along. I am happy that bus did not stop for us.  I enjoyed every second of those 15 minutes we had to wait!

On the subway I could not help smiling thinking about the session, “missing the bus”, and Hanna. My mind brought me back to when I first met Hanna. She came on a recruiting visit to Florida Southern and stayed for a whole week. Hanna and I hit it off right away.  When she was leaving to go back to Sweden I was also leaving to go on Spring break. We were sitting in the terminal together and I was talking to her about coming to Florida, soccer and everything. We probably talked for two hours. Hanna came to Florida Southern and I have some of my best memories with her.  Now look at us. We are in Sweden and get to coach together. It amazes me!!

 There are some people that come into your life that you don’t want to ever let go of. They are special people that you know you will always be friends with no matter where life takes you; friends that you know will always find a way to do anything for you and will always be there… I am lucky to say I found a lot of those people at Florida Southern and a lot of them live right here in Sweden; Hanna is one of them!

Life as a player

Yesterday was our series premier!!! I was ready for the game and I could sense my team was as well!  Our first challenge was against Tierp! I have played Tierp in the past and they are a strong team.

The warm up was good and I felt ready to go. The first whistle blew and Tierp was in control. They scored early on and 20 minutes into the game it was 3-0. We regrouped and fought back and finished the second half.  I was nervous but I refuse to give up and not go for it.  What do you have to lose if you don’t go for it? If you don’t put your whole self out there? Take the chance? Fight until the very end? Give everything you have?  I was focused on getting one goal; once we got one, go for the next and so on; just take it one step at a time.

My team came out in the second half as a new team! We created chances and scored an incredible goal. We combined to the end line, the ball was cut back and it was finished perfectly by our forward Tyra. Tierp had some dangerous corners but our keeper took control! With about ten minutes left of the game. Fanny (our left back) and I ran a short corner and chipped it to Isabelle who found the back of the net. My blood was really pumping at this point. I grabbed the ball from the net and sprinted back to midfield. Tierp was nervous now and they became quite frantic. We had a few more chances but did not finish. The game ended 3-2.. I don’t like losing but in this case I almost feel like we did not lose. I was so proud to be apart of my team. I was so proud of how everyone fought back and really went until the final whistle. Tierp is a solid team with some talented players I think it is an extremely positive sign for the season.  We are one, we are one Gustafs and together we are going to go very far.

Before the game I got a text from boss Borje from TikiTaka. He said, “Njut OCH känn Glädje”  “Enjoy and feel happiness” There were a lot of people at the game yesterday and a lot of my old teammates from Gavle. It was so nice seeing them all!!  After the game I felt like my team and I could hold our heads up high.  I really enjoyed playing; it was an intense and exciting match.  I felt a sense of happiness that just made me love this great game even more!  It is about enjoying the game, feeling happiness, and spreading it so others such as teammates, players, and fans can feel the same joy.

 Extra

I was in the newspaper the other day. Here is the link to the article. 

http://www.dt.se/sport/1.5791987-amerikansk-bolltrollare-ska-starka-gustafs  

*I have been extremely busy and am behind on some of my blogs but they are coming up soon!! 

“Excellence can be obtained if you: ...care more than others think is wise; ...risk more than others think is safe; ...dream more than others think is practical; ...expect more than others think is possible.”

I am living two different lives and two different dreams while I am here in Sweden.  One life is in Stockholm where I am working for TikiTaka and coaching for Tyresö.  I have talent trainings every Wednesday; two groups with selected players. One group consist of the Tyresö girls 12-14 and then 15-16.   They are extremely talented and I can see each one of them developing as an individual and as a group already! So much has happened and even more opportunities are presenting themselves!

 My other life is in Borlänge! It is a small city and has a very country feel. From what I have seen, the Darlana district is beautiful!

  I am playing for Gustafs GoIF.  So far it has been great! My first training with the team was a fitness training.   The training was intense and challenging and I was impressed with everyone’s work ethic.  Soccer trainings have also been challenging and fun! My first game with the team was against Rytterne IS; a team from Vasteras.  There were times in the game that consisted of incredible combination play, great possession and some quality finishes.  We won 4-1. 

 

My second training game was last weekend and it was against Gideonsberg.  The first half we were all a little to excited on the ball and gave it away quite a bit but in the second half we calmed down and played some really good soccer and had some great goals.  All the goals my team has scored so far have been earned and well deserved! We created the chances, nothing was given.

Everyone on the team has a unique quality and brings something special to the table.  I think we have the right puzzle pieces to have a great season and go for the Serie title! I really enjoy playing with the girls and I am starting to connect with them.  It will continue to connect and just get better and better every game.

On an off the field note

I have gone Ice skating, they have ice trails that go on for ten miles or more.

 

Swedes have a holiday for waffles!! Its called Våffeldagen. I love their holidays! So my teammates and I celebrated by having a mini waffle party before training!!  

 

 

I climbed a small mountain with the family I am staying with here in Borlange and enjoyed the simple pleasure of the sun and bbq. Borlange is the home of a giant shopping center; Kupolen and the centrum also consist of small cafes.

 Two different dreams.. A dream as a coach…  A dream as a player…  A small town and a big city.. The best of both worlds! I am extremely happy and honored to be here and be apart of Gustafs GoIF and TikiTaka!!