“I am getting goosebumps when I’m walking out [on to the pitch,” Cathinka ‘Tikka’ Tandberg says after heading through the tunnel of the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for the first time. “It’s like a dream come true. It’s an unbelievable stadium.”
Sitting down with the young Norwegian forward ahead of Sunday’s league encounter with Chelsea, the newfound excitement and energy that has encompassed the club this season is palpable. For of the many stories that have already emerged across the Barclays WSL over the last few months, the transformation that has been happening at Spurs is one of the most notable.
After a woeful 2024/2025 campaign that saw them finish 11th and possess the joint-second leakiest defence (44 goals), it was clear that a change of direction was needed both on and off the pitch if they were to realise their ambitions. Robert Vilahamn was sacked in June and Martin Ho, a highly-rated young manager, arrived a month later just ahead of pre-season. After three years in an assistant role at Manchester United, he had spent the last two seasons managing SK Brann in the Toppserien (Norway’s first division) where he led the Bergen-based outfit to the Champions League quarterfinals.
In addition, the arrival of Vinai Venkatesham as the club’s Chief Executive in April 2025 was another sign of positive change. He spent 14 years as CEO of Arsenal and was widely lauded for his consistent support for and impact on the women’s team.
Tandberg was his second of two signings in the summer transfer window as he settled into his new surroundings. For the 21-year-old, a life-long Tottenham Hotspur fan, the decision was simple.
“It’s been really easy to settle in here,” she says. I’m enjoying every day, every training. I’m living my childhood dream. I love being here and playing in front of these fans. I just feel I haven’t even started yet so I’m looking forward to the future.”
“Since I was young, I’ve been to White Hart Lane with my Dad. One of my favourite players played here before so when Spurs came, there was no doubt… My Dad is buzzing. He was like, “You can’t choose something else. You have to choose Spurs.”
She wasted little time in announcing herself to the Tottenham supporters, scoring an audacious 40-yard effort against Everton in the second game of the season to open her account, a goal that she calls “a little teaser” of what is to come.
Tandberg isn’t the only Scandinavian to come to England. In the recent transfer window, the Damallsvenskan became one of the most fruitful sources of new players for the WSL and is held in high regard by managers across the league. Of Ho’s four permanent signings in January, three arrived from Sweden’s top league and the other – Norway’s rising star Signe Gaupset – from the Toppserien.
Hanna Wijk was amongst them, arriving from BK Häcken where she had spent the last six seasons.
“Häcken has been a big part of my development and that’s why I’m here today,” the 22-year-old full-back says of her former club. “I’m really happy for everything Häcken has done for me. I think the Swedish league is a really good place for players to grow and develop and then move abroad.”
Tandberg echoes this thought, viewing the Damallsvenskan as an important stepping stone to prepare her to compete at the top of the sport.
“For me, it was perfect to go to the Swedish league to get confidence and goals,” she says. It’s been very important to take the right steps and not to jump from a small step to a big step. At the age I am, I need to play and that has been the most important thing for me.”
The pull of the Barclays WSL and the challenges it brings against some of the world’s best players was a factor in both their decisions to move to England.
“The games are very competitive and also the league is so tough,” Wijk remarks. “You have to give 100% every game. You have to be at your best every week. As a footballer, that is what you want.”
Ho’s approach and the club’s ambitions were also key for both when choosing their next career move. The 35-year-old wants his team to control the football, attack with intensity and confidence, press high but also be diligent and hardworking out of possession.
“He wants the team to be free but also have principles to follow so that it’s clear for everyone,” Wijk states. “Also that they work a lot with the player one-on-one. That’s a big part for me.”
It has reaped rewards. Tottenham sit comfortably in fifth in the Barclays WSL, just four points off Chelsea who are occupying the final Champions League spot. They currently have the fifth highest average possession (51.8%), expected goals (19.9) and goals per match (1.3) and are third for clean sheets (5). It, of course, has not been perfect but there are clear signs that they are moving in the right direction. Against Chelsea last Sunday, they were arguably the better team for much of the first half before falling to a 2-0 defeat.
Champions League qualification is probably too soon in their journey which is at the very beginning under Ho. Mounting a serious challenge to the more-experienced teams this time out is perhaps unlikely but, whatever happens, there is no doubt that this campaign will be viewed as a success, a springboard for the years to come.
(Images from Girls on the Ball, with additional images from IMAGO)
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