Things have gone so well for Robbie Russell that he can laugh while recounting that the first thing he did upon his arrival in Europe was throw up.

After the Massachusetts product finished his all-American stint at Duke University he turned down a sure thing with MLS to prove himself abroad. But he would have to go on trial, and the first club offering to give him a look was Aalborg of Denmark. He disembarked from an arduous trans-Atlantic flight feeling queasy and was greeted by an agent who would drive him to the tryout. ''I had to tell him to stop the car so I could throw up,'' says Russell, who was in no condition to dazzle once he hit the field.

But by the time he arrived at Sogndal, a modest club in the shadow of a fjord in western Norway, Russell had regained his health and proved himself worthy of his first pro contract, at age 22. That was in 2001. Sogndal had never won a title, but Russell knew that it offered an entry into the competitive world of European soccer, where opportunities for an unproven American to break in are scarce.

''If you're an American who hasn't played for the national team,'' he says, ''your only chance is usually to go on trial. Then, if you do well with a smaller club, there's a chance that bigger clubs will take notice.''

MOVING UP. That's just how it has worked out for the strong, fast and skillful right back. After 113 games for Sogndal, Russell is moving to Norway's best club, Rosenborg, for a $718,833 transfer fee. ''We expect … Russell to fight for a first-team place straight away,'' said Rosenborg's sports director Rune Bratseth. ''We wanted added competition in defense.''

Russell believes Rosenborg, which has won of the last 12 Norwegian league titles, was attracted to him because it plays similarly to Sogndal.

''Both teams play a 4-3-3 in which much of the attack comes from the outside backs,'' says Russell, who scored against Rosenborg the last time it met Sogndal, ''and I've been successful in coming forward.'' Russell, who can also play as a defensive midfielder, enjoyed Sogndal, a town of 6,600. Instead of bemoaning the limited opportunities for entertainment, he read vociferously, explored the glaciers and salmon fisheries, and appreciated life without a car — unnecessary in a town where everything is in walking distance.

''It's so beautiful there that it's a pleasure to walk around,'' he says. ''I'm not sure what I'll do at Rosenborg.''

The club is based farther north in Trondheim, Norway's fourth largest city with a population of 144,000.

''Perhaps I'll bicycle,'' he says, ''but that can be rough when it gets real cold. I may have to get a car.''

A DAY TO FORGET. Sogndal's team included several up-and-coming players of Russell's age, and he made close friends.

''It was almost like a college atmosphere,'' he says. ''And overall, it's a good life in Norway. It's very expensive because of the high taxes, but that means things are taken care of. The standard of living is very high.''

His only bitter memory came last May, when he was the victim of abuse from Brann fans, who hurled racist insults at him and showered him with spit.

''The sideline is real close to the stands,'' he says. ''Someone grabbed me, and when I turned around a woman spat right in my face. The players from the other team apologized and I received tons of supportive letters and e-mails afterward from well-wishers. Other than that incident, I've been treated very, very well. I don't want to go down as the guy who got spit on. I don't want to dwell on that.''

Instead, he'll be starting a new chapter in his career: The move to Rosenborg means Russell could see European Champions League action, which begins for Rosenborg at the second-round preliminary stage July 28.
– Mike Woitalla