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The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

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The news site of Santa Barbara City College.

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Swedish international player bolsters City College line-up

International student Mohammed Ettariki intends to help City College already talented soccer team to win the Western State Conference for the third straight year while balancing his sociology studies.

Ettariki started to play soccer at the age of eight in Stockholm, Sweden and grew increasing interested in the sport. He played for Rinkeby, and when he was 17 years old he began to play for Assyriska, a Swedish second division team. Ettariki has also showed his qualities in Swedish Champion AIK’s junior team. Soccer was a daily activity on his schedule, and school was not always a priority to him.

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“I went to school, but I always thought about how much I wanted to go to practice instead during the classes,” said Ettariki.

Ettariki came to City College 2010 for sociology studies because he wanted to try something new, and decided to try out for The Vaqs soccer team, since soccer has always served as his “passion” and “motivation” in life.

The move to City College has played a role in altering Ettariki’s priorities. “Soccer is important to me, but an education is essential to have,” said Ettariki. “I play soccer to achieve success in school, it gives me energy.”

The humble freshman says that Swedish soccer star Zlatan Ibrahimovic, now playing Italy’s Serie A, is a major inspiration for him because they have a similar background, and Ettariki can recognize himself in Zlatan.

“I know how it is to grow up in the suburbs in Sweden, and that is why I can see myself in Zlatan.”

Ettariki notes that soccer in Europe is different from here. He says the pace is faster in Europe and there are no school teams like there are in the states, just club. Ettariki remembers how playing overseas garnered more discipline, and engagement in the sport at an early age.

When it comes down to his qualities as a soccer player he describes himself as a British style player who has strength, but can be rough sometimes on the field.

The tall right-winger says that this year’s team is young, but strong and fiery. He loves putting the ball in the net but as long as the team wins it does not matters who scores. Ettariki knows he has to work hard to get playing time, and is prepared to do so.

“I hope to play as much time as possible if I deserve it,” said Ettariki

The Vaqs goalkeeper Yonha Adrabi, and striker J.C Guzman both agree on that Ettariki is an aggressive yet hard working player who brings energy to the team, and pushes others.

Ettariki’s goal for this semester is to help the team defend the title from last year.

“I don’t like to lose, but as long as the team plays good I’m happy.” 

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