About this episode

Janni Thomsen discusses her journey in women's soccer and the upcoming Champions League final.

The Utah Royals have been one of the biggest surprises of the 2026 NWSL season, and defender Janni Thomsen has been in the middle of it all. Thomsen joins host Jillian Sakovits for a conversation looking back at growing up in a small Danish town and playing on boys’ youth teams despite ridicule from other families. They also discuss how Thomsen found her way to Utah in 2025 after her partner, Norwegian international Elise Thorsnes, played there several years earlier, as well as how the Scandinavian couple is preparing to welcome their first child. Then, Jillian breaks down what to expect from the UEFA Women’s Champions League final between FC Barcelona and OL Lyonnes on Saturday. _______________ HOST: Jillian Sakovits GUEST: Janni Thomsen This podcast was produced by The Athletic . _______________ Referenced on the show: Is Barcelona versus OL Lyonnes the UEFA Women’s Champions League’s greatest rivalry? Utah Royals are on a seven-match unbeaten streak. Are they the NWSL’s new protagonists? _______________ Get in touch:  ⁠⁠fulltime@theathletic.com⁠⁠ Follow on Instagram and TikTok: @tafulltime Subscribe to our Youtube channel: here Subscribe to the Full Time newsletter…

People in this episode

Host: Jillian Sakovits

Guest: Janni Thomsen

Topics covered

• NWSL
• women's soccer
• Champions League
• interview
• personal story
• family

Keywords

• Utah Royals
• Janni Thomsen
• NWSL
• Champions League
• FC Barcelona
• OL Lyonnes
• women's soccer
• personal story
• family

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Athletic, FC Barcelona, OL Lyonnes

Places: Utah, Denmark, Norway

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