Therese Sjogran
Therese is a midfielder for the Swedish Women’s National Team; she has appeared in over 200 matches representing her country. Last club season, she led LdB FC Malmo, to its first Damallsvenskan Championship in 16 years. For her efforts, she received Swedish Female Player of the Year (for the 2nd time in her career). This summer marks the 4th time that she will represent Sweden in either a FIFA Women’s World Cup or the Olympic Games.
Soccer Without Borders Guatemala
SWB Guatemala is based in Solola, a market town tucked away high in the western mountains of the country. The Solola region maintains the highest concentration of indigenous Mayan communities, speaking upwards of 24 different languages within a few hundred square miles. A relatively young program in a region where basic needs often go unmet, SWB Guatemala provides playing and learning opportunities to girls, while also using soccer as a means of integrating youth across cultures.
SWB Guatemala is based in Solola, a market town tucked away high in the western mountains of the country. The Solola region maintains the highest concentration of indigenous Mayan communities, speaking upwards of 24 different languages within a few hundred square miles. A relatively young program in a region where basic needs often go unmet, SWB Guatemala provides playing and learning opportunities to girls, while also using soccer as a means of integrating youth across cultures.
About you:
SWB Guatemala: How old are you?
Therese Sjogran: I am 34.
SWB G: How many people are in your family? Do your parents like that you play soccer?
TS: I have two brothers that are younger than me, one is 32 and the youngest is 27. My parents have been there for me from the beginning of my career. They always come to the games and so do my brothers. I used to play with them when I was younger but now I don't have the time.
SWB G: Where and with whom do you live?
TS: I am from Sweden but at the moment I live in the US. I play with a professional team called Sky Blue FC. And I live in a big house with three of my teammates.
SWB G: What do you like to do when you are not playing soccer?
TS: When I am in Sweden I work part time at a insurance company. So I think I will do that when I stop playing.
SWB G: What is your favorite song?
TS: This is a difficult question. There are so many good songs.. But now I often listen to “Down On Me” by 50 Cent.
SWB G: What is your favorite food to eat? What do you eat before a game?
TS: I like Thai food but before a game I usually eat pasta with chicken.
SWB G: What is your favorite color?
TS: I have two favorite colors… black and yellow.
SWB Guatemala: How old are you?
Therese Sjogran: I am 34.
SWB G: How many people are in your family? Do your parents like that you play soccer?
TS: I have two brothers that are younger than me, one is 32 and the youngest is 27. My parents have been there for me from the beginning of my career. They always come to the games and so do my brothers. I used to play with them when I was younger but now I don't have the time.
SWB G: Where and with whom do you live?
TS: I am from Sweden but at the moment I live in the US. I play with a professional team called Sky Blue FC. And I live in a big house with three of my teammates.
SWB G: What do you like to do when you are not playing soccer?
TS: When I am in Sweden I work part time at a insurance company. So I think I will do that when I stop playing.
SWB G: What is your favorite song?
TS: This is a difficult question. There are so many good songs.. But now I often listen to “Down On Me” by 50 Cent.
SWB G: What is your favorite food to eat? What do you eat before a game?
TS: I like Thai food but before a game I usually eat pasta with chicken.
SWB G: What is your favorite color?
TS: I have two favorite colors… black and yellow.
About your playing career:
SWB G: How and when did you learn to play soccer? How old were you?
TS: I started playing when I was six years old. My best friend was playing so I just went with him. I played a lot with boys when I was young and I think that made me much better!
SWB G: What position is your favorite?
TS: Center mid, for sure! You are involved in the game all the time and you have the ball all the time.
SWB G: Is it hard for you to play soccer? What is the hardest part?
TS: The hardest part is not the soccer; it’s the stuff around it. You have to eat right, you have to sleep, you have to do testing on your strength and stamina. But I love soccer so I forget the other stuff.
SWB G: How many times do you practice in a week?
TS: I practice about ten times a week.
SWB G: Do you feel proud being one of the best players in the world and representing your country?
TS: Of course, it is the best feeling in the world, representing your country and being good at what you do.
SWB G: How did you get chosen to represent your country?
TS: I will always remember this day. I was 18 years old, and I got a phone call from the national coach. I had done really well for my team at home, and that call was my reward!
SWB G: How do you feel when you walk into a crowded stadium to play in the world cup?
TS: It is hard to describe that feeling… it is so big… it kind of takes over you.
SWB G: How and when did you learn to play soccer? How old were you?
TS: I started playing when I was six years old. My best friend was playing so I just went with him. I played a lot with boys when I was young and I think that made me much better!
SWB G: What position is your favorite?
TS: Center mid, for sure! You are involved in the game all the time and you have the ball all the time.
SWB G: Is it hard for you to play soccer? What is the hardest part?
TS: The hardest part is not the soccer; it’s the stuff around it. You have to eat right, you have to sleep, you have to do testing on your strength and stamina. But I love soccer so I forget the other stuff.
SWB G: How many times do you practice in a week?
TS: I practice about ten times a week.
SWB G: Do you feel proud being one of the best players in the world and representing your country?
TS: Of course, it is the best feeling in the world, representing your country and being good at what you do.
SWB G: How did you get chosen to represent your country?
TS: I will always remember this day. I was 18 years old, and I got a phone call from the national coach. I had done really well for my team at home, and that call was my reward!
SWB G: How do you feel when you walk into a crowded stadium to play in the world cup?
TS: It is hard to describe that feeling… it is so big… it kind of takes over you.
