Håvard Nordtveit: “I think about all things TSG 24/7”

Håvard, you played your first game with TSG at the Telekom Cup. What did you make of your debut?

Håvard Nordtveit: I’m still just getting started with TSG, and there’s a lot that’s new in the training sessions - lots of first impressions, new tasks, and challenges. That’s why I think about football constantly and TSG – 24 hours a day. The game against Bayern was helpful for me. It was very demanding and we had to play with more aggression, but ultimately it was a good experience for me so early on. The loss was frustrating, but I’d rather win our Champions League playoff than the Telekom Cup (laughs). I want to learn as much as I possibly can, and to do so I definitely need more time.

You arrived in Windischgarsten on Sunday. What are your first impressions?

Nordtveit: It’s fantastic. We flew here and are staying in a picturesque palace in the mountains. Our training pitch is right next to the hotel. That’s perfect. We never have to get on the bus and can just focus on the football. That makes it all very effective. We can work in peace and take part in many sessions a day. We’ve got off to a good start and I’m looking forward to the rest of the week.

You’ve only got a few training sessions with the team under your belt. How are you acclimatising to the training sessions and TSG’s style of play?

Nordtveit: The style suits me. TSG played good football last season and I want to help them continue to do so, and even build on that to play even better. The training is totally different in comparison to what I’ve experienced before. The exercises are complex, but I’ve adapted quickly. It’s nice when you’re doing the exercises, but you have to be alert and be awake. It’s a good experience and this type of training definitely contributed to TSG’s success last season.

The season begins with a DFB-Pokal game in Erfurt in just four weeks time. Is that in the back of your mind at all?

Nordtveit: Not at all. I’m just focusing from session to session, I’m leaving everything else out of my mind. Four weeks is a long time to prepare. We’ve got a lot ahead of us and want to work hard. The preseason isn’t the best time of the year for a footballer, but when you stand on the pitch for your first game, you’re happy you partook in each and every session that you did. We’re laying the foundations here for everything that’s to come. Everything we’re doing here is very important.

You can play in defence as well as in midfield. Where do you prefer to play?

Nordtveit: I always played as a centre-back when I was a boy. My first time playing as a holding-midfielder was with Borussia Mönchengladbach. My last season in Gladbach saw me consistently play as a centre-back in a three-back formation under Andre Schubert as manager, and in England I played at the back too. That’s where I feel most comfortable, and that’s becoming clearer and clearer to me as I get older. I’ve been playing in defence for the national team as of late too. I’ve become very accustomed to playing on the right-hand side of a three-back formation. It’s a lot of fun.

Was there any player that you looked up to when you were a youth player?

Nordtveit: There was indeed, even though he played a totally different position to me: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He’s an unbelievable person with a fantastic character. I’d love for kids to look up to me as a role-model during or after my career – that’d be exceptional. He won a lot in his career, but I like him for how much of a professional he was and how down-to-earth he was and is.

What do you do when you’re not thinking about or playing football?

Nordtveit: I spend a lot of time with my son. He’s two years old and has my never-ending energy. I enjoy spending time with him, and I’m also not a person who can sit still for long. I’m always on the move. I try to meet up with friends when I’m at home in Norway who I’ve not seen in a long time. I enjoy going fishing too, regardless of whether I’m by a lake, a river, or on a boat in the sea. I love to be in and around nature. I like to play a bit of golf too.

Will you reveal your handicap to us?

Nordtveit: Oh no, I’d rather not (laughs). I just play for fun.