Gard Simenstad

Gard Simenstad is a Norwegian footballer who plays as a wing back or midfielder for Hamkam.
He started his youth career in Vind IL and then SK Gjøvik-Lyn. For the latter team he started his senior career, but experienced relegation from the 2016 2. divisjon. In the summer of 2017, during a russ trip to Kos, he experienced the 2017 [Aegean Sea earthquake]. After the 2018 season he started training with First Division club Raufoss IL. His older brother Stian already played for that team.
Simenstad progressed from played a third of Raufoss' league games in 2019, to half of their league games in 2020. He then lost the entire 2021 season due to long-term injury. He made a comeback in March 2022, in the 2021 [Norwegian Football Cup|cup game] against Strømsgodset, where he also scored.
With Simenstad being a mainstay in the Raufoss team in 2022 and 2023, his contract was due to expire and he was followed by a number of teams, choosing to sign for Eliteserien club Hamkam. At Hamkam, Simenstad made a breakthrough and especially became known as one of Eliteserien's most proficient free kick takers. On 8 May he scored from about 25 metres against Vålerenga in the 2024 Norwegian [Football Cup|cup]. The NRK commentators Tete Lidbom and Carl-Erik Torp said, respectively: "It's David Beckham against Greece for England!" and "Give the man his own documentary film!". On 20 May he scored the winning goal against reigning champions Bodø/Glimt, and on 1 June he scored against Brann. Comparisons to Trent Alexander-Arnold and James Ward Prowse were drawn as well.