Viktor Gyökeres and Amanda Nildén are on a similar path in the world of football – having cut their teeth at IF Brommapojkarna in Sweden, both are now looking to establish themselves on English shores with Brighton and Hove Albion. But Bromma still holds a special place in their hearts, as we found out when we sat down to speak with them recently.
IF Brommapojkarna, which literally translates as ‘Bromma Boys’, is the largest football club in Europe with over 4,000 players registered – 1,000 of which are female. But despite the heritage and tradition, the club has embraced the movement of the women’s game and the empowerment that it brings, rebranding the female team ‘BrommaGirls’, complete with a special edition jersey courtesy of partners Nike.
Catching up with the two 20-year-old BP Academy graduates, we discussed the importance of Bromma as a club, the new special edition jersey, and the individual journeys that find both hoping to play more regularly at the Amex in the coming years.
Can you describe what memories you have from BP and what the club means to you?
AN: BP is my former club and after over 12 years in the club I made a lot of memories. It has always been so friendly and everyone cares about each other in the club. BP will always be the club in my heart and I will always wish them the best.
VG: I have good memories with the club and especially the last two years there when we got promoted twice. I got the chance to play and they helped develop me so I enjoyed my time there.
What does the club stand for and how does it feel to have represented them?
AN: The club stands for equality and that’s a massive thing to do in a football club.
VG: I feel that the club always produce good, talented players and very often give them a real chance to play. They also represent a good and enjoyable way of playing the game. So I’m proud to have represented them.
Will their shirt always mean something special for you?
AN: Of course, as I said BP is my former club and will always be the club that helped me become the player I am today. So my old shirt from BP will always be with me.
What do you make of this Bromma Girls jersey?
VG: The shirt I wore will always be special to me but this jersey for the Girls team is a good way to show that BP as a club stands for a football that is as important for girls as it is for boys. And of course more equal.
Going from BP to Brighton, how much has the club given you strong foundations to succeed here?
AN: BP gave me my football education so of course they have a big impact in my career. But now it’s up to me and what I can do.
VG: I think it has helped me a lot on the way and with my development. Now I need to keep doing it and keep improving.
What’s the transition been like and what have you made of moving to the UK?
AN: My move over was quite hard to be honest. The football was different from what I earlier played and not knowing anyone was one of the biggest things. Now after one and a half years I’ve settled in and love it over here.
VG: For me, it’s been a new life and different but I like it. It's been my first whole season in England and it’s been a great experience. It’s been a good season with a lot to be proud of.
What can you tell us about the last year and what it has been like for you?
AN: I have had a lot of injuries over the whole season, so if you look at it like that my season hasn’t been that good. As a person I’ve grown and I look at football in a different way now. When I look back now this season gave me more than any other season in my career in many ways.
What about the standard of the game over here, has it been a step up?
AN: It’s more physical over here and you need to take quicker decisions. The quality of football is not that big a difference from Sweden.
VG: Of course it’s a bigger league here so it makes everything a bit more interesting I think. There’s other differences like changing from artificial grass to real grass. I’ve felt the hype around the Premier League and it has been new and something I have enjoyed.
Would you like for more women’s games to be played in first team stadiums?
AN: We had one game at the Amex this season and that was massive for us. Over 5000 watched us play. That was the biggest game of the season and I hope we will have more of the games there next season. That was one of the biggest games in my career.
Amanda, you’ve gone through the age groups with the national team, how much have you set your sights on the senior team?
AN: Playing for the senior have always been a dream. I’ve always worked hard and just done my best when I’m with the national team. I can’t think of it too much and my focus is on the club. I need to do the best I can there [at Brighton] and hopefully I’ll make it to the national team from there. That have always been one of my goals in football.
Have you felt the profile of the women’s game grow over the past few years?
AN: I can feel the difference every year. Bigger clubs starting Women’s team and more clubs working hard with equality. I’m now excited for the World Cup. I will watch it home in sweden on tele and cross my fingers that Sweden will win it all.
Treading in each others footsteps whilst trying to forge their own paths, both players will always be intrinsically linked to the place where it all began for them; a club that's stepping forward for equality throughout the game.
