Copenhagen globetrotter

Timisoara (EuroBasket Women 2015) - It's like using your right hand for everything, then switching to your left. That, in simplistic terms, is how Maj Forsberg describes her incredible refereeing triple-take that has seen her officiate in the NCAA, WNBA, and now at EuroBasket Women within a seven-week spell.

The Dane, who now lives primarily in Hawaii, has grabbed herself a small slice of European basketball history with her accomplishments on the other side of the Atlantic, having made the shift from becoming an international player for her country at the age of 16, to attending the University of Hawaii on scholarship, to now landing the tag of the most versatile ref around.

Three different competitions, three sets of rules, three environments with their cultural twists.

EuroBasketWomen2015.com: First up, how did you get started in refereeing?
Forsberg: I started refereeing a couple of years after graduating from college, around 2004. I was very fortunate that there weren't a lot of female referees at the time in the States, let alone ones who had played the game. So if you had an understanding, especially having been a point guard, it was a huge advantage. You were just given so many opportunities and I was very fortunate that I didn't have to spend years and years climbing the ladder. Being a point guard gives you a huge advantage because you're used to seeing the game in a certain way. You have the feel for what might happen next and be able to anticipate the offence and defensive moves.

EuroBasketWomen2015.com: What was your first game as an official?
Forsberg: It was at University of California-Santa Barbara, in the Big West Conference. That's where I got my start. I was teamed up with two veterans who were amazing. Things happened so fast so I didn't get too nervous. Sometimes, if you have too much time to think, you can be too awestruck but I just took it in the moment, which helped.

EuroBasketWomen2015.com: So how did the call-up into the WNBA come about?
Forsberg: It just kind of happened. I was invited to a pre-Draft camp in Tampa in 2008 in conjunction with the Final Four for some of the top prospects. And they invited some referees to officiate some scrimmages. I think my first game then ended up being the Sacramento Monarchs against the Houston Comets.

EuroBasketWomen2015.com: You were 'discovered' by FIBA Europe officials when they learnt there was a Dane in the USA but when did the call home arrive?
Forsberg: This is my fourth summer with FIBA Europe games. I did U20 Men Division B in 2012, then U20 Women Division A in Turkey in 2013, and then U20 Division Women Division A in Udine.

EuroBasketWomen2015.com: What are the biggest contrasts between presiding over FIBA, NCAA and WNBA games?
Forsberg: The philosophy in the States is pretty consistent. Obviously the professional game is more show-like in that they play music and there's more entertainment, whereas a lot of people would say the college game is more for purists. The European game, at the international level, is very different. For instance at EuroBasket Women, we have yet to have a block-charge play involving the no-charge semi-circle here. Whereas, in the States, the game is more one-on-one orientated, someone will beat somebody off the dribble, go to the basket and you will have a crash in the middle. In the international game, it's very physical and the defense plays extremely hard. It's incredible, how they're not afraid to sacrifice their bodies.

EuroBasketWomen2015.com: How does that impact on officiating?
Forsberg: It's harder. In the States, it's very black and white. They want to see freedom of movement rather than it becoming a wrestling match. One touch with a hand is OK, second touch is a hand check. It's very black and white about what constitutes illegal contact. Whereas I feel here, we look more at the advantage-disadvantage situation where a play may be really physical and players may go to the floor. But unless there is a clear disadvantage, you may not call the foul. You have to get adjusted to that. That's a bit of a challenge. But I love that.

EuroBasketWomen2015.com: You've worked games in the NCAA, WNBA and EuroBasket Women within six weeks - does switching between three sets of rules in such a short period of time mess with your mind?
Forsberg: It does a little bit. The biggest thing is that my mantra for officiating is developing an approach where most of what I do is habitual. The lanes that I run, the areas in which I move depending on where the ball is, the areas where I'm observing, the way I move in contrast to where the players are moving. Everything becomes habit. So that frees up more of my processing to just judging the plays and the contacts. During the winter months, I get used to the college season. You're on auto-pilot in terms of running, mechanics and reporting, everything. Then the WNBA comes and it's an adjustment because it's different signals but mostly relatively similar. Then you come here and it's completely different.

EuroBasketWomen2015.com: What is the biggest difference in the basic on-court way you work a game?
Forsberg: The mechanics. The switching that we do. Reporting to the table. Here we're constantly hustling whereas in the States, that's regarded as running away. In the States, you're encouraged to walk with a purpose and with strength. Here, that can be perceived as being lazy or taking time. Or drawing attention to yourself. It's interesting, culturally, how things are perceived differently. But I really love the opportunity to come to Europe once a year and be around fellow Europeans, that share the same humour. It's so different to the States but it's nice to come home.

EuroBasketWomen2015.com: We've seen a few exchange programmes in other sports where referees work games in other countries. Would that be a plus in basketball?
Forsberg: I feel like even in the last couple of years I've come over, the philosophies and overall mentality of the game is becoming more aligned. I felt more of a disparity before in how you were judged, how you moved on the court and who's supposed to call what. But I feel like it's coming together which is nice because we're all playing the same game. Me coming over here gives me so much, and I enjoy then going back and talking about what I've learnt to my peers in the States. And likewise, if European officials had the chance to come and work the college game or NBA or WNBA summer league, it would be a positive thing.

Go to EuroBasketWomen2015.com for full coverage of EuroBasket Women 2015.

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