The Big Interview: Cathinka Tandberg
The 19-year-old Norwegian forward is self-confessed absorbed in becoming the best in the world. Winning the golden boot in her first year in Sweden, she's already on the way...
Cathinka Tandberg right now is one of the most highly thought of young strikers on the European scene, but it hasn’t always been that way.
In some ways, it’s happened overnight.
The 19-year-old scored just five goals for Lyn in the Norwegian Toppserien before Linköping spotted her talent and brought her to the Damallsvenskan in Sweden.
A teenager moving away from home should have been expected to take some time to settle in, but Tandberg went straight out and won the golden boot with 19 goals, one ahead of teammate Cornelia Kapocs.
It’s fair to say in some ways she’s surprised even herself.
“Before I came to Linköping I just wanted the game time, but also understood maybe I wouldn’t play every single straight game, and then suddenly I played every game and scored almost every game!
“It’s been really good and hopefully I can keep doing that this year and just be better all the time.”
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There’s a fascinating paradox to Tandberg as you dig deeper into her personality and what has driven her to be where she is today.
She admits to having self-doubt and being her own harshest critic, yet she is open in stating she wants to be the best in the world, taking the drive and determination of players she admired growing up, such as Cristiano Ronaldo.
“I think I just need some more of his belief!” she laughs. “Sometimes I can think I am shit because I didn’t score.”
I mention in jest she should just look at last season’s scoring charts more often…
“I should think about that more, sometimes I forget what I did yesterday. Yesterday, I was good, but today is a new day, if you understand what I mean?
“I need to say myself ‘I am only 19’. I have so many years left and it will go up and down, I try to tell myself that, but when you love to score you feel you have played shit when you don’t.”
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