Personal Statement
I am a very passionate goalkeeper and started playing soccer at the age of 5. Presently, Until recently, I played in one of the best U-19 Division 1 teams in Sweden – we won the National Swedish Championship in November 2023 (Allsvenskan). I was also enrolled in the National Soccer Program 2021-2024 focused on development of young players to become professional soccer players.
In September 2024, I left the U19 team and was promoted to the minor league team IF Sylvia who plays in Senior Division 2. I train with IF Sylvia and the Senior Professional Team of IFK Norrköping . Historically, one of the most successful teams in the Swedish top league (Allsvenskan) with 13 national championships won. I also work as a substitute teacher at the Jönsbergska Sports Junior High School and at the retail store Eko, like Walmart, preparing for colleague studies starting in 2025.
As a goalkeeper, I am mentally very focused, stable, quick on decision, physically agile and one of by many strengths is distribution of play and one-on-one saves. I am a strong team player and provide leadership to the team’s defense.
Academically, I have always been interested in schoolwork. I have maintained good results throughout high school, studying Economics, despite the National Soccer program being very intense and I graduated in June 2024. I have yet to decide my future academic focus, but coming from a family of many university teachers, I know the tremendous value of a good education. Areas of interests are business & administration and political science, but I am open to other fields.
I see colleagues’ studies in the US as a great opportunity. Being fluent in Swedish, Spanish, and English having lived abroad in Latin America in my childhood, combining soccer and academic studies in the U.S. would provide the perfect combination. In Sweden, I would have to pick sports or academics.
BASIC STATS EMIL HOLMBERG
- Born in April 2005 (19)
- Height 183 cm/6 Feet
- Weight 74 kg/164 Pounds
- High School graduation in June 2024
- GPA 3,4
- Fluent in Swedish, English, and Spanish
- Played in IFK Norrköping Academy – a club with 125 years of experience - in the highest league. The team's academy is ranked as the 5th best in Sweden by the National Football Association https://unicoach.se/2024/01/2023-ars-resultat-av-certifieringen-av-klubbarnas-akademiverksamheter-hela-listan/
- Plays in IF Sylvia in Division 2 since September 2024, it is the minor league team of IFK Norrköping for prospects to the professional team.
MATCH STATS EMIL HOLMBERG
- In September 2024, he was promoted to IF Sylvia in Senior Division 2. It is the minor league team of IFK Norrköping.
- Trains with IF Sylvia the Senior Professional Team, which playes in the national top league.
- Played in the 2024 U-19 “Allsvenskan”. Top U-19 division in Sweden.
- Between 2021 and November 2024, Emil Holmberg has played 94 competitive matches.
- In IF Sylvia, he has an average save ration after 9 games of 93%, 5 clean sheets, GAA 0,6, and saved 3/6 penalties (50%). Contributed to te team's defense having the least conceded goals in the league.
- In 2024 until the end of November, has played 31 competitive games with and average save ratio of 81%. Saved 6 out of 11 penalties - 55% save ratio.
- In 2024, U-21 National League Gold (Ligacup Elit) as second goalkeeper.
- U-19 National League Gold (Allsvenskan), 2023. Least conceded goals in the series. 27% of the games without conceded goal - clean sheets. Goals Against Average (GAA) 1,2.
- U-19 bronze in the Scandinavians Masters in December, 2023 playing with the best teams of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Marbella, Spain. Best Swedish team in the tournament.
- Played in the Gothia Youth World Cup U-17 reaching quarterfinals
- U-17 National League U-17 "Allsvenskan Södra" gaining fifth place. 19% of the games without conceded goal - clean sheet. GAA 1,7
- U-16 National League Silver, 2021. Least conceded goals in the final series and “player of the match” in the finals. 26% of the games without conceded goals - clean sheets. GAA 1,3
- Played in the Scandinavians Masters in 2021 with the best teams of Denmark, Norway and Sweden.
Video updated on 15 of October 2024
