CHARTING HER OWN COURSE
While Terland had already achieved significant success as a top-tier footballer in her mid-teens, coaches like Harder at Klepp and those involved with Norway’s youth teams recognized her exceptional drive and strong mentality. It was clear she was determined to carve her own path.
A crucial factor in her journey, according to Harder, was the influence of her parents, Espen and Anette. Espen, deeply rooted in regional football, always encouraged his daughter to challenge herself. From her early years, he urged her to step up to higher levels whenever she dominated a team. At 13, when Elisabeth was also excelling in handball, he motivated her to transition to boys’ football at Bryne. Interestingly, she would find herself among peers, including one particularly notable talent destined for Manchester—Erling Haaland—but their age difference meant they never faced off on the pitch.
Reflecting on her experience, Elisabeth later acknowledged the profound impact of shifting away from girls’ football, stating, “The boys were skilled, and I always had something to strive for. I believe that greatly influenced my development.”
Before Elisabeth joined Klepp, her father shared insights with Norwegian newspaper Aftenposten about her training regimen. “People assumed she only trained, and that I was an overzealous parent on the sidelines,” he recounted. “However, we always enforced at least one mandatory rest day each week. She was never permitted to train in both football and handball on the same day, ultimately needing to choose which sport to pursue.”
Elisabeth chose football, while her younger sister continued with handball. Harder praised the support of Espen and Anette: “One significant aspect of her upbringing was the opportunity to train and play with boys up to age 15, which undeniably provided her with a developmental edge.”
“Her parents were incredibly supportive of her aspirations, yet they also recognized the importance of balance. There are parents who push too hard, often living vicariously through their children, but Espen and Anette were always clear that this was Elisabeth’s journey. If she wanted to succeed, it was up to her to make it happen. I genuinely valued that dynamic as a coach.”
