Onward to Oxford: NTNUI Rumpeldunk

As part of our efforts to preview all 32 teams competing in the European Quidditch Cup (EQC), the Quidditch Post is chatting with representatives from each team. Today we spoke with Elisabeth Jørstad, captain of NTNUI Rumpeldunk.

Quidditch Post: NTNUI is one of the top teams in Norway. How do you think that will translate to all of Europe?

Elisabeth: To be fair, Norway is so small that being one of the top teams basically means that you're one of the active teams. However, at the tournament in Toulouse this January, the Norwegian Ridgebacks had a number of NTNUI players. They made it to the quarterfinals, only losing to the Paris Titans and the Quercs (who both made it to the final).

QP: Who would you say are some of the key players for NTNUI?

Elisabeth: My co-coach, Jørgen Stenløkk, is one of our most experienced players and will definitely be important. Lisa Tietze may have only started this year, but she is already a solid beater we will be relying on. We also have a number of new but impressive players who I don't doubt will make a big impact on our game.

QP: Can you talk about what they do well?

Elisabeth: Jørgen is a fast, energetic player with a handball background who mainly chases, but he is also a good and rather offensive beater. Lisa gets the game really well; she works and communicates well with with almost any beating partner.

QP: What are your goals for EQC?

Elisabeth: For a start, doing better than last year, when we came 10th (out of 12). It'll obviously depend on the group draws, but we'll aim for top two in our group (which I assume would qualify us for bracket play).  For most of our players, it'll be the first time they play internationally, so having fun and gaining experience will also be important.

QP: What do you hope the team takes away from the experience of Oxford?

Elisabeth: How amazing European quidditch is. We have a lot of great team socials, but I want them all to experience how awesome and big the European community is too.
I also expect many of our players to develop a lot throughout the tournament, given how they won't have too much experience beforehand. Of course this also applies to our older players. And maybe most of all, I hope they all come back hungry for more—more games, more socials, and overall more quidditch.

QP: Do you think having players with past EQC experience will impact the team?

Elisabeth: Considering how only three of us are attending EQC for the second time, I honestly don't think it makes a big difference. However, I believe that having players participate both in Toulouse and at Valentines Cup will help us, given that it's a lot more recent and has also given them a good idea of the European level.

QP: Are there any teams you hope to face?

Elisabeth: It would be really cool to play against teams from Austria, Poland, or maybe Germany, considering how little we've seen of them. Turkey impressed everyone in Toulouse, and I can't wait to see how the other lesser-known countries are.

QP: How would you say Norwegian quidditch fits in the larger European quidditch community?

Elisabeth: We're the small bunch of people far away from everyone else, who every now and then turn up to stuff and remind people that we exist. Luckily, we've been more active lately, and we're going to keep it going!

QP: Anything else you think our readers should know about NTNUI?

Elisabeth: We're looking forward to meeting and playing everyone at EQC, and we're sure it'll be awesome!

QP: Thank you, Elisabeth, we appreciate your time.