First team | March 22, 2017 at 06:33 PM

"Enjoy playing football"

"Enjoy playing football"

Per Skjelbred speaks about the international break, the Norway national team and Marcelinho.

Berlin – Per Skjelbred will finally get a breather this weekend. When the Norway national team plays its World Cup qualifier on Sunday (26/03/17) against Northern Ireland, Skjelbred will be enjoying some free time in Berlin. This sort of break will be somewhat strange to the Norwegian who has been capped 43 times by his country since making his debut in 2007. In February 2017, the 29-year-old decided to retire from international football, in order to spend more time with his family. 
The midfielder spoke to us about stepping down from international football, the training week ahead and what he thinks about Marcelinho’s shoes. 
herthabsc.de: Per, until now you’ve always been away on international duty during these breaks. What’s it’s like having a totally different training group?
Skjelbred: I like it. I remember the times when I was young and some of the players went away on international duty and we got our chance. It was an opportunity for us to show our quality and gain experience. Training with younger players also helps the older players because they always give it 100%. 
herthabsc.de: To what extent is training different when there are so many youngsters involved?
Skjelbred: It’s more about having fun with the lads. You can take a breather and enjoy playing football. I’ve also got to know some of the younger players better.
herthabsc.de: Is a free weekend also good because it gives you a chance to re-charge the batteries?
Skjelbred: Yes, definitely. It’s the first time in a long time that I’ll have a weekend off. Before I’ve always either trained or played a match. 
herthabsc.de: What’s on the agenda for training during the international break?
Skjelbred: We train intensively together as a team. Then I have my own programme. It’s a perfect opportunity to train alone and that is an opportunity to do more. It’s about improving my own fitness and preventing injury. 

Berlin – Per Skjelbred will finally get a breather this weekend. When the Norway national team plays its World Cup qualifier on Sunday (26/03/17) against Northern Ireland, Skjelbred will be enjoying some free time in Berlin. This sort of break will be somewhat strange to the Norwegian who has been capped 43 times by his country since making his debut in 2007. In February 2017, the 29-year-old decided to retire from international football, in order to spend more time with his family. 

The midfielder spoke to us about stepping down from international football, the training week ahead and what he thinks about Marcelinho’s shoes. 

herthabsc.de: Per, until now you’ve always been away on international duty during these breaks. What’s it’s like having a totally different training group?
Skjelbred: I like it. I remember the times when I was young and some of the players went away on international duty and we got our chance. It was an opportunity for us to show our quality and gain experience. Training with younger players also helps the older players because they always give it 100%. 

herthabsc.de: To what extent is training different when there are so many youngsters involved?
Skjelbred: It’s more about having fun with the lads. You can take a breather and enjoy playing football. I’ve also got to know some of the younger players better.

herthabsc.de: Is a free weekend also good because it gives you a chance to re-charge the batteries?
Skjelbred: Yes, definitely. It’s the first time in a long time that I’ll have a weekend off. Before I’ve always either trained or played a match. 

herthabsc.de: What’s on the agenda for training during the international break?
Skjelbred: We train intensively together as a team. Then I have my own programme. It’s a perfect opportunity to train alone and that is an opportunity to do more. It’s about improving my own fitness and preventing injury. 

herthabsc.de: Norway is currently fourth in World Cup qualifying group C. How do you rate Norway’s chances? 
Skjelbred: Norway still has a chance of qualifying for the World Cup. I will always have my fingers crossed for them. The team is good enough. They need to give 100% and perhaps need a little bit of luck in order to qualify for the World Cup.   
herthabsc.de: Norway is currently fourth in World Cup qualifying group C. How do you rate Norway’s chances? 
Skjelbred: Norway still has a chance of qualifying for the World Cup. I will always have my fingers crossed for them. The team is good enough. They need to give 100% and perhaps need a little bit of luck in order to qualify for the World Cup.

He said...

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I remember Marcelinho's funny hair and his cool shoes.
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-Per Skjelbred

herthabsc.de: Have you spoken with Rune about the upcoming match against Northern Ireland. What did you say to him before he went away? 
Skjelbred: Rune is going away and I’m not and it’s a bit strange for me because it’s the first time. I’m not used to staying here. It’s a little odd for my wife and my kids as well. I just want to enjoy it. 
herthabsc.de: You decided to step down from international duty to spend more time with your family. What are you going to do?
Skjelbred: Now I can enjoy the weekend with my family and see a bit more of Berlin. I’m looking forward to getting to know the city a bit better. I don’t often get a free weekend with the family. 
herthabsc.de: On Saturday it’s Marcelinho’s farewell match. Do you have any special memories of him as a player? A particular goal or situation? Will you be watching the game? 
Skjelbred: We don’t watch that much of the Bundesliga in Norway. Whenever I watched a Hertha match I remember his funny hair and his cool shoes. Marcelinho played incredible football. Perhaps I’ll watch the game. 

herthabsc.de: Have you spoken with Rune about the upcoming match against Northern Ireland. What did you say to him before he went away?
Skjelbred: Rune is going away and I’m not and it’s a bit strange for me because it’s the first time. I’m not used to staying here. It’s a little odd for my wife and my kids as well. I just want to enjoy it. 

herthabsc.de: You decided to step down from international duty to spend more time with your family. What are you going to do?
Skjelbred: Now I can enjoy the weekend with my family and see a bit more of Berlin. I’m looking forward to getting to know the city a bit better. I don’t often get a free weekend with the family. 

herthabsc.de: On Saturday it’s Marcelinho’s farewell match. Do you have any special memories of him as a player? A particular goal or situation? Will you be watching the game?
Skjelbred: We don’t watch that much of the Bundesliga in Norway. Whenever I watched a Hertha match I remember his funny hair and his cool shoes. Marcelinho played incredible football. Perhaps I’ll watch the game. 

 

by Hertha BSC