Spurs feels like home for Olga | Matchday programme exclusive

Finnish international Olga Ahtinen is hoping to continue her fine start to the new women’s season as we take on Reading in the Continental League Cup this evening – with the player herself buoyed by how welcome she’s been made to feel since her arrival.

Joining us from Swedish side Linköpings in August, Olga has settled in quickly to life at Hotspur Way, helped by a welcoming team environment and a familiar face in international team-mate Eveliina Summanen, as well as a few new signings joining at the same time this summer.

The midfielder feels at home in Lilywhite and has already shown her quality with two starts in the Women’s Super League. First, at the heart of midfield in our spirited display in our narrow 2-1 defeat at defending champions Chelsea before netting her first goal for the Club with a sublime opener in our 3-1 home win over Bristol City on Sunday, to kickstart our league campaign under head coach Robert Vilahamn.

Speaking in tonight’s matchday programme for the clash with Reading at Brisbane Road, vice captain Olga said:

“I'm nicely surprised how lovely and welcoming everyone has been; it's made it feel like home.

“Eveliina has helped me settle in because I've known her for a long time and we speak the same language. Then it’s been really easy to be with Luana (Buhler) and Barbora (Votikova), we are similar ages and joined together and they aren't from England either so they are experiencing things in a similar way to me. I've also spent a lot of time with Molly (Bartrip) too.

“Making my league debut was a little bit surreal because the whole team was present and calm, we weren't too stressed, we knew what we needed to do and it felt good. It was a great atmosphere with the fire display when we were walking out which made me feel like I had properly arrived.”

Tonight’s matchday programme against Reading will be on sale at the game and this season’s Spurs Women’s issues will also be available to buy online.