Interview with Cathrin Paaske

Paaske in action for Sydney | (Credit: Cam Wheeler)

Danish international Cathrin Paaske has played professional football in her homeland for near on 14 years.

Her senior football career has also included playing 100 caps for the Danish National Team plus several appearances in the UEFA Women's Champions League.

Paaske has some serious credentials including being shortlisted for the 2006 FIFA Women's World Player of the Year award, helping Denmark to the 2001 UEFA European Women's Championship semi-finals and twice named Danish Women's Player of the Year.

This year the dynamic midfielder lands on Australian shores to join an already strong Sydney FC squad.

How did you find yourself at Sydney FC?

I knew Alison Forman (former Matildas' captain). I played against her in Denmark some years ago and I had travelled around Australia 6 years ago. I thought it was a fantastic country and Sydney was a fantastic city.

Julie (Rydahl) and I contacted Alison and we tried for Sydney. She had the contact in Sydney so we got an email to the Sydney FC coach.

Yeah, so it took about a year and then everything was sorted out.

Did you know much about Australian women's football before you came here?

Actually I didn't know anything about the League. Of course it started about a year ago, I think. So I didn't know about the level before I came to Sydney.

I had seen the Australian National Team when they played at the World Cup two years ago and I thought they were a very good team. I was excited to find out what level the League was at and how well they played.

Sydney started off a bit shaky but your last two games have gone well, has the level of football been what you expected?

Yes it has actually. I was a bit surprised at the level. I think it is higher than I had expected. Of course it is different compared to European football.

Here in Australia they attack a lot. In Europe, and especially in Denmark, we play more possession football compared to the Australian League but I am definitely positive about the level.

Australian football is known for its physicality, have you found that to be the case?

Yeah, that's right definitely. I think that it’s a positive thing about Australia football. They are very aggressive and they play physical football.

Actually, I think its quite nice that they are a little bit different compared to European football.

The Danish league is one of the strongest women's leagues in Europe. How have you seen the W-League in comparison?

I have only played three games for Sydney but in those three games I thought the other sides were very good sides. The teams are very equal compared to the Danish league where we have two or maybe three very goods teams and then the other teams are not doing very well.

As I have seen right now the Australian league is very good and all the teams can beat each other.

Cathrin, what got you into the sport?

Actually I have played football since I was 6 years old. On the school grounds I played with all the boys. I also played a lot of handball but I had the passion for football.

Did you ever think you could play football almost full time and professionally?

No. It is the last few years that we have been able to professional women's soccer players. I didn't think when I was a young girl that this would happen for me.

I think its great that we have the opportunities to go around the world and play soccer so I think its fantastic.