For over 70 years, one or another Berg has made a name for himself on the football pitch.
– Are you football’s answer to the Kennedy family?
– Hard to say, replies Patrick Berg and laughs at his cousin Sara Berg.
– It has mostly been on the men’s side, but it is very fun that Sara gets the opportunity to play for Glimt now.
After three series rounds, the result could not have been better for Bodø/Glimt.
The men’s team has 9 points in the Eliteserien.
The women’s team has 9 points in the 1st division.
And the Berg family is (almost naturally) represented on both teams.
Touching to see the first league game
Glimt’s men’s team has continued where they left off last year. After three matches, respectively against Fredrikstad, Viking and Lillestrøm, they have nine out of nine possible points.
The fresh women’s team has not been any worse. They also have three wins in as many attempts.
Bodø/Glimt Women cheered fiercely after scoring against Øvrevoll Hosle.
Photo: Kent Even Grundstad / Glimt
The fact that the club has established a women’s team has also not gone under the radar of the Glimt fans.
In the first round of the series, there were over 1,000 spectators at Aspmyra.
– When we entered the stadium and turned around and saw how many people were there, it was touching. I have never experienced that before. You feel very big when so many people care, said Glimt’s number 2, Amie Sannes Glimt.no.
Glimt captain and national team player Patrick Berg was also among the spectators.
– It was a touching moment to see the first league match. I felt you could see it in the whole way the team played that this means a lot. That they get the opportunity to wear the Glimt suit I think is very gratifying, says Patrick to NRK.
Patrick Berg trains, plays matches and sees his colleagues in Bodø/Glimt Kvinner at Aspmyra.
Photo: Ola Helness / NRK
Inspired by the cousin
Over the course of three generations, yellow-clad fans have become accustomed to the fact that “Berg” is very often written on one or another back of Aspmyra.
Naturally enough, there is also a Berg on the women’s team; Sarah Elise Berg.
Sara Elise Berg is the daughter of former Glimt hero Runar Berg. In other words, Patrick Berg’s cousin and Harald “Dutte” Berg’s grandson.
Patrick Berg and Sara Berg are both doing well for Bodø/Glimt.
Photo: Ola Helness / NRK
But first and foremost she is a footballer, and in the third round of the series she struck with a goal against Odd.
– I was a bit shocked when it went in, she says of the long shot with her left foot.
In a hotel room in Lillestrøm, his cousin Patrick Berg was watching the match.
– It was good that we had a late match, because then I got to see their match first. Jens Petter and I watched it together. It was fun that Sara went for it, from a distance.
Later that evening, he did the same – slamming the ball into the goal from distance.
– Your goal was also fantastic, kicks in the cousin.
Patrick Berg celebrates scoring against Lillestrøm, hours after Sara Berg could do the same in Bodø.
Photo: Javad Parsa / NTB
Fascinating sober
That the Berg family has now also got a female talent on Aspmyra does not surprise NRK’s football expert, Jan Petter Saltvedt.
He believes that there are few families in Norway that can compare with what the Berg family has achieved on the football field.
– When we look at the importance for a city and for a club, there is no one who can compete with this, he says and emphasizes that there are many other families who have also meant a lot to their respective clubs.
Three generations of Berg have played havoc for Glimt’s men’s team. Here you can see a longer interview with them.
Saltvedt believes that a family can get so many talents is all about hard training, mentality and an extra little talent.
– They bring with them a foundation that perhaps not everyone else has. The belief that it works and a mentality around what it takes to succeed, he says and adds:
– What is a bit fascinating about the Berg family is how sober and humble they are with regard to their own success. It is not made up. The fact that they are likeable doesn’t really matter.
Should have the same opportunities
Regardless of talent, it has been trained. Patrick and Sara say that throughout their childhood they have played a lot of football together. Patrick describes Sara as a smart soccer player who reads the game well.
Many people say the same about him, and after the away game against Lillestrøm, he was named the best player on the pitch.
Patrick Berg extended his contract with Bodø/Glimt earlier this year.
Photo: Kent Even Grundstad
The prize, NOK 10,000, he quickly passed on to the club’s women’s team.
– It’s about showing support. Perhaps it can have a small effect on the local community. That as many people as possible can help support this venture, explains Patrick and adds:
– There is a lot that is arranged for boys from an early age, but for the girls it may come next in line. We must focus on those who want it, also on the girls’ side, being allowed to bet.
Sara Berg has to work alongside football, and in April she opens a nail salon.
Ola Helness
Sara Elise Berg is aware that they benefit a lot from the men’s team’s success.
– The city is very proud of Glimt. People come to our matches. We feel that we have more faith in what we do, and I think that is about the whole system and what the men’s team has done for the club.
But; is the Berg era over when Sara and Patrick put their shoes on the shelf?
– I have had a daughter. It is possible that there will be more on the ladies’ side. It’s fun, concludes Patrick.
Published 19.04.2024, at 21.55 Updated 20.04.2024, at 20.35