INTILITY ARENA (Dagsavisen): – That cup win there was my first title, says Sara Hørte in what she sets herself up for in Dagsavisen’s podcast Trikkeligaen.
She is the natural guest before the cup final Vålerenga – Rosenborg, the same final as last year, but where the centre-back has changed teams. Last year she was central to Rosenborg’s winning team, now she wants to be the same when she wants to beat her previous club.
Small margins
She comes straight from Thursday’s draw against Bayern Munich in the Champions League, where Vålerenga took her first point in Europe’s most prestigious club tournament.
– Yes, it was a good performance by us, but then we have to quickly adjust to the cup final. But it’s fantastic fun to have such a match programme, says Sara, who turns 24 on the day of the final itself.
– It is expected that we will win all matches against Norwegian teams, but I know Rosenborg will bring a lot of motivation to this match. There were small margins last year and there may be again, she says.
Read more stories about the VIF ladies
VAR drama
In the final last year, which Rosenborg won 1–0 after extra time, the focus was on some key VAR decisions that went Rosenborg’s way.
Also on Sunday, VAR is in use, in the only club match on the women’s side this year as well. VIF applied to the Norwegian Football Association to be released, but was not granted.
– Who is the worst opponent to face in Rosenborg, is one of the questions she gets in the podcast.
– Then I guess I have to answer Cesilie Andreassen (match winner in the cup final on penalties). She is a very good player.
– And who was the most difficult opponent in Vålerenga?
– Mimmi Löfwenius was a tough opponent until she was injured in the final, is her answer to that.
The same Mimmi suffered an injury in the final which put her out of action for the whole of this season, but now she is back in the squad for the cup final where she might be able to get in.
– It would have been a lot of fun!
Read also: Thorsnes after the Champions League feat: – We never give up (+)
Started at Bygdøy
Sara’s early football life started in Huk på Bygdøy where she played with the boys before the journey continued via KFUM Oslo, Øvrevoll Hosle before she debuted in the Toppserien as a Kolbotn player. She was then brought to Rosenborg in 2022. In the podcast, she talks about all the sports she tried.
When the contract with Rosenborg expired this summer, she knew that Vålerenga was interested.
– A few years ago I didn’t think it was possible to make a living from football, now I have an agent and the clarification with Vålerega was quite simple, says Sara, who managed to beat Vålerenga as a Rosenborg player this year as well. In the first meeting of the spring in May, RBK won 1–0 at Intility.
Then she also timed it so that she made her debut for Vålerenga precisely against Rosenborg in the year’s second match at Intility and then VIF won 3–1 in August.
– I enjoyed myself in Rosenborg, and I was very well received here. These are two big clubs with professional operations, says Hørte, who was a midfielder before she established herself as a centre-back. She also has five A national matches.
Read also: Calls out warning after close VIF program: – Close to maximum load (+)
More Champions League
Now she will do her part to ensure that Vålerenga takes The Double this year. In addition, two matches remain in the Champions League, against Arsenal at home and Juventus away.
– I enjoy playing in the cold and snow better than in extreme heat. Snow has now been announced for the cup final, so that suits me well, says Hørte, who elaborates on his transition from Rosenborg to Vålerenga in the podcast.
PS: Sunday’s cup final kicks off at 15:00 and is broadcast on NRK1.
Read also: Thorsnes ready for more Champions League fun with VIF: – Hope the new contract is a formality (+)
Read also: Lexerød’s championship prayer to the NFF: – Give us NOK 50 million (+)
—
THE FACTS
Name: Sara Iren Lindbak Heard
Age: 23 years old (turns 24 on Sunday).
Clubs: Huk (childhood club), YMCA Oslo (2015-16), Øvrevoll Hosle (2016-18), Kolbotn (2019-22), Rosenborg (2022-24), Vålerenga.
Merits: Cup champion with Rosenborg in 2023, league champion with Vålerenga in 2024.
Current: Plays cup final against Rosenborg on Sunday.
—