Football, the elite series | Grytebust became this year’s goalkeeper for the year in a row, then came the smell. What happened next was his biggest victory
Sten Grytebust (32) has returned to Norwegian football, after six years in the Danish Super League. Well, he opens up about the time in FC Copenhagen and what he thinks about AaFK this season.
TABLE TIPS ELITE SERIES:
12th place: Aalesund
(Online newspaper): – What do you think about AaFK this season, Sten Grytebust?
– I think we can compete with very many layers, we can surprise. If we get off to a good start, I think we can build on something.
– The last time AaFK was in the Eliteserien, it was a record low score. What makes the team suitable for me this year?
– I’m not quite right to ask since I was not there that season. I must not claim that I followed very well, but of course I got with a lot of results and a lot of ugly fights.
– I can just talk on behalf of how it is now, and then I basically think we have got a pretty nice layer. The squad may be a little thin if there are a lot of injuries, but if we stay injury-free, I think we can muster a good eleven.
– Who do you think will be this year’s big AaFK player?
– I think there can be more, both young and experienced. Dario Čanađija was brought in from Sarpsborg and seems very exciting. He seems like a good guy who can take some responsibility and he is good with the ball. I think he can have a great season.
– And then we have Simen Bolkan Nordli. He seems exciting, with fine timing, and good runs and skills.
– Who do you think is relegated?
– I know what it takes in the Elite Series, but I am not an expert. From experience, we, Jerv and HamKam, as newly decorated, are the ones who are often pointed out and perhaps a little exposed. Of course, it can have a lot to say how to hit the player logistics, whether you have had a good run-up, and how to get started with things, so it is difficult to say.
– Just look at Silkeborg in the Super League, which was newly promoted last year. They are now secured a top-6 ranking.
-Who is your sports idol?
– Right now I basically have no sports idol, but I grew up thinking George Weah was the best player in the world. Eric Cantona and Peter Schmeichel were also great idols for me.
– If you can not choose Lars Arne Nilsen, is it a coach in the Eliteserien you have a special feeling for?
– I have had Kjetil Rekdal before and was very happy with him. I gained momentum in my career, much because of him – so it must be Rekdal.
– What was it like to come home again?
– I was very fine in Copenhagen, but then it was the family situation – we had never tried to live with family in Norway. So with my sporting situation in FCK was not quite perfect at the time, so I think it was right to come back, considering that I was very wanted and that it seemed exciting. Well once I’ve got it in place it feels like I’ve done the right thing.
– The reception was fantastic. I have received a lot of good feedback, and it is clear that it is warm and appreciated.
– How was the time in Denmark? To begin with, it was probably more rosy, so it was less playing time?
– Yes, you can say it like that. I was named goalkeeper of the year in the league for years in a row when I played in Odense, so it is clear that it was an absolutely fantastic time. It ended up that FCK picked me up.
– It was an ok start in FCK, but then I went on an injury, and then came my competitor who was also a good goalkeeper. He played very well when I was gone, so then it became difficult to get into it again. My biggest win in my career is that after about a year I came back and got my place back, and played all the matches in the playoffs last year.
– You are a little down for a period of time, so when you work back it is someone you set very high. After this came a new sports director, who chose to pick up a new goalkeeper. Such is football, such is life, but you get stronger from it.
– Was Aalesund the preferred destination?
– I’m honest that the first windows I talked to Aalesund I thought I might want to try something else, but still I could not let go of the thought. I am also not alone in the process, with my wife and three children who will be involved in the balance. Eventually the thoughts matured a bit, I got to put what else I could do, and in the end it felt very natural.
– You know what it takes to succeed in Norwegian football. Where are your personal ambitions in the future?
– I look at things a little differently now. All that is in my ambitions is that we will get as many points as possible and keep the place. So clearly playing with a desire to contribute with rescues and experience and then I can learn further some of what I can. Of course, I want to help shape the Elite Series, both with AaFK and personally.
Transitions
INN:
Markus Seehusen Karlsbakk (Raufoss, back from loan)
Besim Serbecic (Rosenborg)
Petar Golubović (KV Kortrijk)
Tor Erik Valderhaug Larsen (Reading United AC)
Sten Grytebust (FC Copenhagen)
Dario Canadjija (Sarpsborg 08)
Jeppe Moe (Stabæk)
OUT:
Andreas Lie (posted)
Fredrik Carlsen (posted)
Håvard Mork Breivik (Brattvåg)
Muamer Brajanac (Horsens, back from loan)
Jonas Grønner (Langevåg)
Quint Jansen (contract expired)
David Kristján Ólafsson (Kalmar)
Kristoffer Strand Ødven (Hødd, loan)
Aalesund’s training matches:
January 28: Aalesund – Brattvåg 4-1 (Haugen 2, Määttä 2)
February 3: Aalesund – Hødd 4-1 (Haugen 2, Barmen, Castro)
February 10: Aalesund – Tromsø 2-1 (Haugen 2)
February 14: Aalesund – Munsingen 6-0 (Segberg, Ødemarksbakken, Haugen 4)
March 8: Molde – Aalesund 6-1 (Ødemarksbakken)
March 11: Hødd – Aalesund 1-4 (Bolkan Nordli, Haugen 2, Segberg)
March 16: Sogndal – Aalesund 1-1 (Barmen)
March 19: Aalesund – Brann 0-2