Now he is fighting for the playoffs with both club and national team
Basketball player Harald Eika Frey (24) announced on January 26 the transfer from the Spanish 2nd division club Oviedo, to the German Bundesliga club BG Göttingen. – One of the leagues I have set for myself to play in, says the 24-year-old to Nordre Aker Budstikke.
DISEN / GÖTTINGEN: – February has been a whirlwind for a month, says Frey. For during the month he has changed club, moved to Germany and played to fight for the new club. Not only that, Frey and the national team also played for European Championship qualifiers, and met Denmark on 24 February and Kosovo on 27 February.
Step in the right direction
It is a positive Harald Eika Frey who answers when Nordre Aker Budstikke calls. In basketball, it is a transition window, ie a period that can change club, which ends in February. Frey, who has thrived very well in Spain and the 2nd division club Oviedo since August 2020, received in this window simply an offer he had to turn to.
– A step up. And one of the leagues I have set for myself to play in.
In the middle of the season, while Spanish Oviedo is in a preliminary 4th place, the decision was made. Frey says that the choice was difficult, and that he has therefore been open and consulted with teammates along the way. But you do not know when the next chance for something like that will come, says the basketball talent.
Harald Eika Frey pictured in 2020. Photo: Stock Photo
Harald comes from a proper basketball family who mother, father and sister all play or have played at the top level.
Victory in the first match!
On February 12, it was time for Frey’s debut in the Bundesliga. The Norwegian made an exceptional figure with 21 points and 5 assists.
– It’s great to have a good start. To show the others, but also to themselves, that one can.
About the transfer, Frey emphasizes the professionalism of the German club.
– Everything seems more professional, you see that there is more money and better facilities here.
When we ask if there is a big difference in the curve in Spain and Germany, he answers the following:
– The biggest difference in sports is that this league is a little more intense, it is more physical. With big players and faster pace. You can feel it, because there will be a lot of pushing and shoving.
Harald Frey her as a college player in Montana. Photo: PRIVATE
Center of the table
Right now, BG Göttingen is about in the middle of the table in the Bundesliga. Harald says that the club has less money compared to many of the other clubs, and that they have therefore tried to think smart when they have bought new players.
The goal is to fight for a place in the playoffs. Last game match before the playoffs on May 1st.
Frey himself believes that he is a team player who can hopefully help in the distribution of the workload in the team. He will help set up the other players, and play free the right players. I add that he is also a good scorer.
He says that he is very happy with the work he has put in in Spain, and believes that it has prepared him well for what he now has in store.
European Championship qualifiers
– It’s always fun with country sales breaks. These are boys I have played with since I was fifteen, so it’s cool when we can meet to play together again, says the 24-year-old from Disen.
He also says that the breaks give a little mental break from the otherwise long and demanding season with the club.
The Norwegian men’s national basketball team is playing in these national team breaks to qualify for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers. Even after the victory against Kosovo in November, and after Denmark lost to Kosovo, Norway was considered the weakest card. Frey says before the match that he as a senior has not played against Denmark before.
On Thursday 24 February, a few miles south of Copenhagen in Arena Næstved, at the Danes’ home ground, it was unfortunately a little too tough for the Norwegian team. The score ended 84-68 for the Danes. The red, white and blue got off to a good start and led the match at one point 8-0. But after the first period, the Danes had taken over the lead.
Nevertheless, it was an even match, which meant that the Norwegians could still hope when the score was 64-61 after the third period. Harald Eika Frey made good figure, scoring 23 points during the match.
Victory against Kosovo
On Sunday 27 February, the trip went for Frey and the national team to Kosovo. Playing away from home could be tough considering the atmosphere and home advantage with committed fans, Frey thought before the match.
But it must be said that Norway was not worse on a team show and atmosphere when the teams meet for the first time in November. With over 2000 spectators in the stands in Hauklandshallen in Bergen, Norway played its first home game in 20 years. It was a terrific match and Norway eventually won 86-77 over Kosovo.
It went well on Sunday, and after a masterful takeover of Norway which ended with a 92-95 victory over Kosovo, Norway climbed to the top of the European Championship group and is guaranteed a group final against Denmark on 3 July.
“This is just real fun,” Frey told the basketball association Kurv.nr after the match – in a match where the Disen boy played big.
– That we were far behind was more about whether we still did what Kosovo did to us. We felt that if we just did our thing well, we could win the battle on our principles.
– Then we have a group that is happy for each other and treats each other all the best, and at the same time a group that fights and shows character. Even though we had a lot of adversity along the way, we managed to stand in it, says the 24-year-old.
With two victories, Norway has both taken a long step towards a secure second place in the group and at the same time ensured that the home game against Denmark on July 3 will be a group final. Kosovo meets Denmark on June 30, but even with a victory there, Norway will retain first place in the group. However, it will be important for Norway to win its group to be assured of advancing in the qualification, writes Kurv.nr.
The group winners go on to the next group game with 16 teams in four groups together with the best of the three group runners-up. The matches play 22.-25. August and 7.-10. November, and 20-23. February 2023.