Fighting spirit got Sara Hjortgaard selected for the U16 national team

The selection for the U16 national team is the result of several years of dedicated work both at the HB Køge Women youth academy and in a daily life where school and elite football must be balanced.

“Ever since I started playing football, it has been a dream of mine to play for the national team. I was therefore extremely happy when I was told that I had been selected, and it only made me even more motivated to improve,” says the passionate 15-year-old youth player.

Sara Hjortgaard is from Greve, where she also started playing football before joining HB Køge Women from Greve Fodbold in the summer of 2022.

“It means a lot to me to be part of the HB Køge Women youth academy. We have a high-quality training environment, skilled coaches, and players who all want the same thing.”

Development and versatility
For Sara Hjortgaard, HB Køge Women has become a place where she feels at home.

“What makes the club truly unique to me is the environment and the culture. It’s great to play for a club that invests so much in women’s football. Being in a club with ambitions gives extra motivation. I’ve been here for around three years now, and I feel really comfortable and extremely happy playing for the club,” says Sara Hjortgaard proudly.

Head of Coaching, David L. Rigelsen, has followed Sara Hjortgaard’s development since she joined the club.

“Sara came to us as an attacking talent with plenty of tricks and dribbling in her repertoire. She has developed into a more centrally positioned player with a high work rate who can operate from box to box.”

But for Sara Hjortgaard, the development has not only been sporting.

“She has gone through great personal development and has become significantly more mature in the way she handles adversity. She works tirelessly throughout all 90 minutes and always puts the team first,” says David L. Rigelsen, who also highlights the versatility and fighting spirit that make Sara Hjortgaard stand out.

“As a player, Sara can cover several positions at a high level. She has a huge fighting spirit and gives 110 percent both in training and in matches. She is constantly available for her teammates and keeps going into duels regardless of who she is up against.”

Sara Hjortgaard was also selected for the U16 national team that participated in the UEFA Development Tournament, where she made her debut in the match against the USA.