– It was the optimal match for me. I had a lot to do and it worked out well. “I've played a number of important games, but this is definitely one of the most important,” said the great player on the field.

The 31-year-old kept his side in the game with a series of superb saves as Røa threatened to turn their lead into a minor goal celebration. Little by little, he saw his teammates join in and eventually take over.

– He's really amazing. “In my opinion, she's the best in the world,” said teammate Lise Klaveness.

After Stabæk equalized in extra time in the second half and just before the end of the second extra period, he was behind almost all of Røa's seven penalty kicks, and he saved two of them.

This resulted in a 5–4 win for Stabæk on penalties after a 2–2 scoreline in the match itself.

– As a goalkeeper, you can only be a hero. Nobody expects you to save. And when you harbor feelings that are truly delicious, says Hjelmseth.

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Coach supports Klaveness

Stabæk's outgoing coach, Roger Finjord, also had a lot to say when he described the star goalkeeper.

– It's great to stand here with the best goalkeeper in the world, said Finjord.

– The world's best goalkeeper, Ingrid?

– Those were Roger's words, but they were nonetheless very pleasant to hear, Hjelmseth said.

Cheated

– I only cheated a little on Siri Nordby's penalty. I assumed he would be shooting where he usually does, and I was right. Otherwise, I trust my own ability to react, Hjelmseth said.

He saved penalties from Nordby and national teammate Guro Knutsen Mienna.
In the match itself, a handball (by Emilie Haavis 1-0) and an own goal (when Toril Hetland Akerhaugen blocked a return after a superb save) were needed to outwit Hjelmseth.

There was a difference in class between the two teams in the first half, and if not for Hjelmseth's fantastic save from Stine Andreassen's header, the match could have been thrown at half-time.

– We came back in the second half, became more aggressive and stopped them on the front line. “Then we were also a little brave in controlling the ball, although it was still Røa who created the chance,” said Hjelmseth.

Wounded

The equalizer came in extra time, when Hjelmseth limped off after being hit in the knee.

– I co-kicked with Elise (Thorsnes). It hurt a lot right then and there, but I wasn't afraid that I wouldn't be able to keep playing. When adrenaline is at its peak, you can endure a lot, says Hjelmseth, who also provides fever relief in an extra half hour.

– A barrier will be broken today. Either they will beat us for the first time or they will lose the final for the first time. Luckily, it was their statistics that were out of whack. “This team never gives up,” Hjelmseth said.

She has three cup gold medals with Trondheims-Ørn from the past, but on Saturday she was the most important player as Stabæk won her first women's NM gold.