Rydahl a big threat in the Sydney FC midfield | (Credit: Cam Wheeler) Rydahl a big threat in the Sydney FC midfield | (Credit: Cam Wheeler)

Julie Rydahl and sky blues teammate Cathrin Paaske have been instrumental in their sides great showing this season.

Since her debut for the Danish National Team in 2001, the midfielder has racked up 50 international matches including being part of the Danish squad who reached the semi finals of Euro 2001.

Rydahl as won six straight Danish championships with Brøndby IF and Sydney will be hoping some of that luck rubs off on them.

What is the story behind your drafting to Sydney FC?

It's pretty much the same story as Cathrin.  It was a journalist told us that there was new League going on in Australia.

We then rang up Alison Forman, the Australian national player who was playing at a Danish club, and she gave us the information for Alen [Stajcic].  We emailed him and that was it.

Did you know much about Australia?

Yeah, I had been there twice.  Actually my sister lives here in Sydney.

What about your awareness of Australian football?

Not much.  I just knew that the League had started up last year.  I tried to follow it a little bit on the internet.  There were some games that you could see on YouTube so I had a look at them.

Really the only thing I knew was from the national team and Heather [Garriock] played in Denmark.  I had seen her play but I did not know too much about the League.

It's only early but what are your initial views on the League in comparison to other Leagues you have played?

It's a little bit hard to say after a few games.  It's always funny to play in a League where you don't know the other teams.  You prepare 100% each time and I can say that it's necessary as every team is actually pretty good.

They have a lot of speed and they work hard.  I would say that the League is different than what I am used to in Europe but its still hard.  It's a good League I think.

How did your love for the sport come about?

I also started when I was really young.  I always had the love for the game. I have a brother who was 10 years older than me and I have always played a lot with him in the garden and so it started when I played with him.

I always played at school and in the backyard and then when I was 6 I started with a boys team.  So it was my family and brother that got me started.

What is the state of women's football in Denmark?

I would say it is improving.  Women's soccer is the fastest growing sport in Denmark.  A lot of young girls are starting.

What has been your greatest football moment?

There are a couple.  I would say that the World Cup in China in 2007.  That was a great experience.  We had 50,000 to each game and it was very good set up for the games and the tournament.

The Champions League with my Danish team, Brondby IF has also been great.  We have been to the semi-finals twice so that has also been a great experience.

Also when I won the Danish championship the first.  The first time is always a nice thing.

Playing for many years injuries are part of sport.  You’ve been playing since you were 6 so what's the most painful injury you've had?

Oh, that's easy.  I had the cruciate ligament in my left knee buckle when I was 14.  Also my right knee had cartilage damage so its my knees.  Those were the worst injuries.

Are you patient when it comes to rehab?

I have learned to I would say.  In the beginning it was hard.  There are times that you have to just be patient.  It's hard and not funny.

Sportspeople are well known for their superstitions.  Do you have any?

I have two armbands and I always wear them on my left arm.  But we can't play with them so before every game I give the armbands around a teammate.  The same one and I have to find a new one in every team I play.  They have to wear it on their left arm as well during the game.  That brings me good luck.

I know it's a strange thing but you have to have something that's a little strange.

Julie, thanks for your time.