Josefine Funch has a special match on the schedule this Saturday. The 25-year-old Dane will take the field with PSV Women against FC Utrecht. It will be her fifth official match, but her first at TenCate Stadion De Herdgang. Meanwhile, the technically skilled midfielder looks back on a smooth transition to PSV.
Josefine settled in Eindhoven this summer and found her first few weeks at PSV to be exceptionally positive. According to her, the transition to her new club went smoothly. “It’s been really good. The people are very nice, and the transition was pretty easy. The environment is professional and very good.”
On the sporting front, too, the Danish player has gotten what she expected from PSV going in. “I expected PSV to be a club with high ambitions and good players from whom I could learn. That has proven to be the case in practice. It’s all very positive.”
A Danish Get-Together
When she first arrived in Eindhoven, Funch could count on the help of her compatriot Sara. “Right after I signed, she’d already sent me a message asking if there was anything she could do for me. I played with her sister for a few years, and the funny thing is that they’re alike, but also very different.”
That help comes in handy, Josefine says. “Sara helps me a lot. Fortunately, a lot of it is in English, but recently we had a meeting with a referee about the rules of the game, and that was in Dutch. She translated everything for me then. And it’s also nice that you can speak some Danish every now and then.”
A Helping Hand
The midfielder has been regularly deployed on the wings in recent matches. It’s not her favorite position, but it is a spot where she can help the team. “It’s difficult—not my best position—but I’m glad I can help the team this way now that we’ve had to deal with some injuries. My best position is the 8 or 10.”
That’s where her qualities shine the brightest. “I’m a midfielder with a lot of technical skills. I love dribbling and one-on-one situations. I don’t score often, but I do set up goals.”
First published on De Herdgang
Following the late victory over PEC Zwolle, in which PSV struck in the final minutes, FC Utrecht now awaits. Josefine isn’t quite sure yet what to expect from the opponent. “I know them from the footage, but that’s about it. But I know that every team in this league has a lot of quality and is capable of—and eager to—play good football, so that’s how we’re going into it.”
The match against FC Utrecht will also be her first appearance at the TenCate Stadion De Herdgang—something the Danish player has been looking forward to for a while. “I attended a match there in December and have been looking forward to it ever since. I’m really excited about it.”
Back to Denmark
After FC Utrecht, PSV faces one of the most important matches of the still-young season. In the final qualifying round of the UEFA Women’s Champions League, HB Køge is the opponent. For Josefine, this means a reunion with a team from her home country.
“Sara and I knew we’d be drawn against them. It was meant to be—no doubt about it,” she laughs. “It’s going to be a tough match. Of course, I know them well. When I came here, I thought I was rid of them, but nothing could be further from the truth.”
In Denmark, too, people are watching the match with interest. “I’ve received a lot of messages. They’re also excited there that three Danes will be playing for PSV. HB Køge is very good, but so are we.”
PSV Women vs. FC Utrecht kicks off Saturday afternoon at 2:00 p.m.
