Jatta's record comeback

One minute at Sturm is enough for Norway’s team!

Christian lilzer (r.) is delighted about the comeback of Seedy Jatta (l.)

(Bild: GEPA pictures)

The withdrawal of Manny Sarkaria (broken ankle) put Sturm under pressure in attack, so the comeback of Seedy Jatta planned for the international break was accelerated and the rocket striker was used for one minute in Hartberg for the first time in 52 days. But his coach is on pins and needles ...

"Unfortunately, Seedy had three serious injuries," said coach Christian Ilzer, lamenting the Norwegian's bad luck. "First he suffered a fractured lumbar vertebra in the first game in Lustenau, then he tore a muscle fiber and finally he got stuck in the turf in Catez without any influence from the opponent and tore his syndesmosis ligament. He has missed 19 competitive games! We have to be careful now, mustn't overload him and have to manage his playing time carefully."

We are in contact with Norway and they know that we need Seedy fully fit for the season finale.

Sturm-Coach Christian Ilzer

That's why Ilzer is not really happy with Seedy's call-up to Norway's U21 team (against Holland): "One minute of playing time for Sturm is apparently enough for a team call-up," growls the Sturm coach, "but we're in contact with Norway and they know that we need Seedy fully fit for the season finale."

"It's crazy!"
The 20-year-old from Oslo just shakes his head: "It's crazy! Before I joined Sturm, I was never injured - now I've been injured three times. The last one was mentally difficult to digest. I'm not fully fit yet, but I'm happy to be back on the pitch!"

Seedy Jatta (center) has already had to be carried off the pitch three times by Sturm doctor Jürgen Mandl (right) and his coaches.

(Bild: Sepp Pail)

Norway's team assignment doesn't come too soon for him: "If I'm fit for Sturm, I'll be fit for Norway too. As soon as I feel anything, they'll send me back to Graz straight away."

Highly motivated for Lille
The sunny Viking is not yet done with Lille: "We want to show that we're still in the game," he winks, "and we want to put four goals past them!"

He has also set his sights high for the championship round: "I'll be fully fit in the third or fourth game, then I hope we win this championship title. It would be my first. I can hardly wait to win something with Sturm."