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My search for a new club has come to an end, as I signed with Norwegian Second Division club Nesodden IF in early June. I’m very excited to be joining the club and looking forward to the opportunity. The club plays in the same Division as my previous club, Kjelsås IL, but in a different group (there are four groups with fourteen teams in each group in the Second Division). In my opinion the level of the Second Division here is very good. It’s not an easy league to play in, as it’s very fast-paced and physical, with many technically gifted players. Many of the Tippeligaen (Norwegian Premier League) teams field their Reserve teams in this league, as it’s the highest level of play the Norwegian FA allows them to compete in.
This year has truly been a test for me and at times has included blood, sweat and tears. Throughout everything I’ve continued to believe in myself, and my ability as a footballer. Signing for a new club was what I set out to do, and there is no better feeling than achieving your goals. I was very keen to find a club where I can get the playing time and top quality training that I desire. Following my first day training with Nesodden, things just felt right to me. The coaching staff and players have made me very welcome and everything at the club is done in a very professional manner. I knew right away that it was the club for me at this time.
Now that the trial process is over and I’ve signed on with a new club, part of me feels like I should be able to relax a bit; however that’s not the case because the hard work is really just beginning. Adjusting to a new team is never easy. As I already mentioned, everyone at the club has made me feel very welcome and that is something I can truly appreciate, because it’s not always that way. Everything about joining a new club takes some time to adjust to. It can take a while to learn how your new teammates play and what their strengths/weaknesses are. Just like it takes time for your new teammates to figure out what you’re like and how you play. Making connections on the field can take a while.
As always when you’re playing in a foreign country, things can become much more difficult, as you’re in an unfamiliar environment. Luckily for me, I’ve been in Norway for the past two years and I now feel totally comfortable playing here. At Nesodden, I’m the only player who cannot speak Norwegian. Although I can understand pretty much everything on the field, it can be difficult to be a part of the team on/off the field in certain situations, when you don’t speak the language; but this is something you get used to over time.
Signing for a team that’s in mid-season can also make your job a little bit harder. The team has already played many games this season in the league and also spent the entire pre-season working together and learning the team system. You also have to remember some of these guys have been playing together for years, some of them have come all the way through the club system together, from the youth team to the first team. You’re now competing for playing time with these players and that can be tough a tough task. I have a lot of hard work ahead of me, however I look forward to the challenge. I will do what I always do and show up to training everyday showing what I can bring to the squad until my chance comes. Once I get my opportunity in the team, I intend on grabbing it with both hands.
Although I’m looking forward to getting started with Nesodden, I’m currently shifting my attention to something else that I’m very excited about. I’ve been selected to play for the Canadian Men’s National Futsal team, as we try to qualify for the 2012 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Thailand. This is an absolute honor and dream come true for me to be selected to play for Canada.
I left Norway on June 20th and met up with the team in Costa Rica for a week of training and two friendlies against their National team. Following our time in Costa Rica, we will head to Guatemala City and play against El Salvador in a two-game playoff for the final spot in the 8-team CONCACAF Qualifying tournament, also taking place in Guatemala City the following week. If we beat El Salvador, we will be in a group with Guatemala, USA and Panama. In order to qualify for the World Cup, we will have to finish in the top two teams in our group. I have been dreaming of having the opportunity to play for Canada for as long as I can remember and I’m so excited to be here.
I didn’t have much time to settle into my new club before leaving on the trip to Central America. The Norwegian summer break coincides with the trip, so I will be looking to establish myself in the first team at Nesodden when I return to Oslo in July. I’m really looking forward to the chance to represent Canada and cannot wait to pull on the Red and White jersey. I’m so excited for what lies ahead and I’m looking forward to showing what I can do on the pitch. You can follow me on my blog for updates and pictures throughout my trip. I’ll have a full report on the trip in my next column for Red Nation Online.
See Also
In These Boots: The Trials of Canadians in Europe
In These Boots: An Introduction
Robbie Tice can be found writing about his career, life home and abroad at Robbie Tice - Canadian Footballer, and can be followed on Twitter at @robbietice90.
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