– Of course this is strange, there will be a void. At the same time, it would be great if you did not have to work half a day every Saturday and Sunday. It’s a marathon in many ways, longtime Premier League presenter John Hartwig Borstad tells Dagbladet.
The energetic playwright answers the question of what it means to stop working for a media house that has the right to English football.
Jan-Henrik Børslid agrees with his colleague, and says there is more work than there might appear from a sofa corner in Norwegian homes.
From the outside it may look charming, but I don’t think people know how much it works. It takes a lot. I think I’ve worked 30 weekends each year, for the past 12 years, says Borslade.
Both maintain that covering the Premier League has been an adventure, and that they look forward to going to work every day.
Last season, as it is known, was the last season with the Premier League on TV 2. New rights holder Viaplay is already busy following Erling Braut Haaland and his teammates. On Ball Island.
Overview: Jan-Henrik Borsley Director of Programs and Reporter at TV 2. Photo: Daniel Sanom Luten, TV 2
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Childhood Champion
Borstad describes the past twelve years as a career-defining era for him.
– I was fortunate enough to be a presenter when he took over in 2010. Wiegard Jansen Hagen (Sports Editor at TV 2) gave me the confidence to represent the Premier League from the outside. It was a new step in my career. I went from reading sports news to being able to put my stamp on something, and growing as a presenter. There were some great moments.
Borstad finds it difficult to pinpoint the most important points, but singled out Sergio Aguero’s sensational goal in extra time that secured Manchester City’s Premier League title in 2012 as the best goal. When it comes to unforgettable visits by profiles and legends, in the gradually known studio in Bergen Media City, the task is not so difficult.
Paul Gascoigne in the studio was absolutely amazing. He was my childhood hero to me. Although it wasn’t always easy to understand what he said, he had star status and an amazing aura. I will never forget that.
Borslade highlights a session in the indoor stadium at Old Trafford with the famous Manchester United legend.
We had Gary Neville with us at Old Trafford last season where he picked everything that was wrong at Manchester United. He can talk in depth about everything that happened at the club. It was great to be a part of.
The greatest talent ever
– Friends for ever
But one thing was more important than anything to the charismatic Bergensen.
The most important thing for me is to go to work and meet my colleagues who I like to hang out with. You should be happy with these people when you spend a lot of time together. I was always looking forward to going to work. It was an honor.
Borstad agrees.
They are friends for life, that’s what they are. I wonder if it was me, Morten Langley, Eric Thorstadt and Trevor Morley who sat in the studio for the first broadcast in 2010. They are the nicest people you can imagine as colleagues. It’s a great group in front of and behind the camera.
Was it appropriate for you to report the transfer to Viaplay?
– Maybe it was an opportunity, but with the family life and the job I have at TV 2 in Bergen, it may have been difficult, Borstad answers.
– Did you watch the first broadcast of Viaplay?
– Sure, I did. I think they are fine. It is always difficult to change your viewing habits. People will miss what it was. We noticed it when we took over in 2010. Our skin plumped up, says Borstad.
will cover norwegian football
After guiding the Norwegian people through countless rounds of the Premier League for years, new challenges await the duo. Among other things, TV 2 secured the rights to Eliteserien from 2023 to 2028. There, the two presenters will be central.
My biggest passion is Norwegian football, so I won’t be honest with this big shift. I feel so fortunate and privileged to be a part of it. I look forward to working with Eliteserien again, says Borslade, who has worked with Norwegian football in the years before ending up in the Premier League studio.
The star trio: Solveig Gulbrandsen (formerly), Jan-Henrik Børslid and Endre Olav Osnes were among those who covered the FIFA Women’s European Championship in 2022 for TV 2. Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad/NRK/TV 2
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He says he is already preparing for them to take over the rights to Eliteserien, and hopes that with TV 2 he can boost Norwegian football.
I think Norwegian football was a bit invisible. There is no criticism of those who have worked on it in recent years, but when the TV 2 presses the big red button, something happens. We have a huge inventory when it comes to football coverage.
It would be fun to get a role in Norwegian football again. This situation has been a bit quiet since TV2 last had it, Borstad adds.
In addition to Norwegian football, TV 2 men will appear on screen in other contexts.
There will be no shortage of things to do, Borstad laughs.
– There is the Champions League, international matches, and upcoming tournaments, in addition to the Yeast. He concludes that it will be very interesting.
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