Linda Andersen played her first World Championships already in 1997, when the first Women´s WFC was played. She has has had a break from Floorball, but has been training seriously again since last February and is really motivated and happy to be back in the national team.
The Norwegian national team has trained and played much together and have been focusing especially on the physical training during the summer months, hoping to improve their placement from last WFC (8th).
– Last WFC was a disappointment to us. That’s why we are very motivated to show that we improved a lot. We are more prepared than last time and therefore it´s realistic to set some higher goals as well. We are going to Sweden believing we can fight against all the teams.
Norway will play in the A-division group A with Sweden, Czech Republic, Latvia and the USA. Their first match will be played on Saturday the 7th starting at 17.15 CET against the reigning champions.
– I am looking forward to all the matches in the WFC. The first match is always special, this time it’s against Sweden. It’s going to be a really tough match, but hopefully it will be a lot of fun. For us there are probably more important matches later in the tournament.
What is your best Floorball memory so far?
– I think I have to say the bronze medal from the very first WFC in 1997. We beat Switzerland in penalties in the bronze match, and I scored one of the penalties. That was fun :-). I also have very good memories from WFC in 2001. Yet again a bronze medal after beating Switzerland in the bronze match. I think we were two goals down before the third period, and it ended up with a one-goal victory. I will also mention the victory against Sweden in the first match of the 2003 championship in Switzerland. Everything is possible :-).
Andersen is also of the opinion that Floorball has developed remarkably since her first Championship experience in 1997.
– It’s been great development in the game. I think more countries are a lot more serious now. There are many good teams. The game is faster and you have to be in really good physical shape to keep up.
