For the first time since the Olympics, the Norwegian Handball boys are gathered on the national team again when the Gjensidige Cup will be played in Trondheim Spektrum from 4 to 7 November.

National team manager Christian Berge has this time taken out extra many players for the collection.

– We have chosen to take out a larger squad than usual because some players have had a tough load before and after the Olympics, Berge explains. He adds that any of the players who are in the training phase after injuries will not be available in the matches.

Three players have put the national team kit on the shelf, and it has opened up for a debutant in the squad, namely Drammen goalkeeper Sander Heieren. (Although he played the match when the recruits met Belarus in January this year, and it was considered a non-league match, but with other players.)

Berge has a clear plan for the Gjensidige Cup.

– We need to use the tournament to reinforce roles in the game. We meet tough opposition in all three matches: Denmark and France are the final teams from the Olympics in Tokyo, and the Netherlands have made great strides lately, he explains.

The next big event for the Handball Boys is the European Championships in January, which will be played in Hungary and Slovakia.

– We are looking forward to several big challenges on the field in the Gjensidige Cup, and want to add elements to the game that we must bring with us to the European Championships, Berge concludes.

This is the squad for the Gjensidige Cup

No., Name, Club, Matches / Goals

Goalkeepers

12 Kristian Sæverås, FC DHfK Leipzig Handball, 036/002
16 Sander Drange Heieren, Drammen HK, 001/000
30 Torbjørn Bergerud, GOG Handball, 105/000

Back players

3 Vetle Eck Aga, IK Sävehof, 002/001
5 Sander Sagosen, THW Kiel, 127/644
7 Sander A. Øverjordet, Mors-Thy Handball, 023/013
10 Magnus Fredriksen, HSG Wetzlar, 020/015
13 Erik Thorsteinsen Toft, Mors-Thy Handball, 004/008
15 Kent Robin Tønnesen, Pick Zseged Handball, 117/297
18 William Aar, Ribe-Esbjerg, 014/009
23 Gøran Johannessen, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, 084/192
26 Simen Holand Pettersen, Elverum Handball, 009/005
27 Harald Reinkind, THW Kiel, 127/267
77 Magnus Abelvik Red, SG Flensburg-Handewitt, 065/103
89 Christoffer Rambo, Runar Handball, 095/214

Edge players

6 Sebastian Barthold, Aalborg Handball, 035/051
19 Kristian Bjørnsen, Aalborg Handball, 147/564
44 Kevin Maagerø Gulliksen, Frisch Auf Göppingen, 055/093
71 Alexander C. Blonz, Pick Zseged Handball, 040/077

Line players

11 Petter Øverby, HC Erlangen, 090/069
21 Magnus Gullerud, SC Magdeburg, 144/184
32 Thomas Alfred Solstad, Elverum Handball, 011/010

Christian O’Sullivan has reported due to the collection.

Management for the team

Christian Berge, national team manager
Jonas Wille, coach
Zeljko Tomac, coach
Ole Martin Viken, physical trainer
Steinar Ege, goalkeeping coach
Harald Markussen, physiotherapist
Geir Stølsvik, masseur
Lars Hojem Kvam, press
Gry Hege Knutsen, team administrator
Ingrid Blindheim, principal

See overview of the profile for more info

This is how the matches in the Gjensidige Cup are played

Thursday, November 4:
Kl. 18.15 Norway – Denmark

Saturday, November 6:
Kl. 14.15 France – Denmark
Kl. 16.45 Norway – Netherlands

Sunday, November 7:
Kl. 14.15 Denmark – Netherlands
Kl. 16.45 Norway – France

The matches are played in Trondheim Spektrum and broadcast on TV 2’s channels.

Tickets are on sale at Eventim.no.