Berge believes this should be his heir
Watch Golden League: Thursday at 20.45 – Denmark-Norway – TV 2 Sport 2 and Tv2 play
It is a melancholy and thoughtful Christian Berge arrives at the hall, where he is to end his national team career as Norwegian national team manager.
– It is strange that you have to go into such a tournament and not stand there when you have finished it, but there will probably be a reaction on Sunday, I think.
The Norwegian handball boys are in Aarhus and will play the Golden League tournament against the handball superpowers, Denmark, France and Spain. After the match against the Spaniards, it is against an emotionally charged Berge.
– It has been crazy fun to work in these these years. We have achieved something and these are things we could do better. I have thrived very well in the group and with this performance thinking that we have had. It’s been a lot of fun.
– Many good moments
Berge came in as interim national team manager in 2014 and got the job permanently four months later. The journey to the top of international handball started with a strong 4th place in the European Championship 2016. Norway beat France, but lost the quarterfinals after extra innings against Germany and ended up in a strong 4th place.
In the World Cup in 2017 and 2019, they played finals and ended up with silver medals while finishing a European Championship at home in 2020 with bronze.
– There have been many good moments. In 2016 when we beat France was one of the greatest memories. And also the fact that the players look forward to going to the gathering every time, it means a lot, says Berge.
Thursday at 20.45: Denmark – Norway
Tv2 play
– Torn
Well, he has already started working as a Kolstad coach, but initially wanted to do both.
– I think it’s very boring, but I’m also a bit divided. I’m happy to be Kolstad’s coach, but it’s boring that he is not allowed to continue, says Torbjørn Bergerud who will be a Kolstad player this summer.
The handball association was clear that Berge had to choose and has started the work of finding his replacement. They have advertised the position with an application deadline of 9 April.
Clear recommendation
Berg is in no way involved in the process of choosing his successor, but who he wants to make further.
– I have worked very well with Jonas (Wille). He is skilled and he has a leadership style that I like very much and knowledge is so absolutely present.
Jonas Wille was hired as Berge’s assistant in October and has extensive experience as a coach. For eight years he trained Halden’s men’s team and took them from the 1st division to the Elite Series. After a short stay in Central Jutland, he signed in 2018 for Skövde, where he was named coach of the year in Sweden the following year. He also made a trip to Mors-Thy in Denmark and Kristianstad in Sweden, before joining as a Norwegian national team assistant.
Do not want revolution
The players are taken on board and are clear to the association on what they want to say.
– What has worked for us are types like Christian (Berge), Børge (Lund), Jonas (Wille) and Glenn (Solberg). We want it to be a Scandinavian who takes over and who has a bit of a similar philosophy as them, says captain Christian O`Sullivan.
He confirms that he has been consulted in the process.
– I hope it does not become too different and not too revolutionary, says Kristian Bjørnsen.
– (Kristian) Kjelling is of course a candidate, but a clear candidate can also be Michael Apelgren who previously coached Elverum and is now the coach for Sävehof. I think it can be a cool coach to have on the national team.
The Handball Association has stated that they want to reach the goal with a new coach before the summer. In the meantime, the boys will try to jack down the current national team manager in the game room.
– He is such a bad loser. I have some memories with him from the table tennis table, where he loses it completely, laughs Torbjørn Bergerud.
– There is not much fair play there then. It’s about winning. Cost what it will cost. And preferably with rules I make along the way, laughs the outgoing national team manager.
How to play Golden League:
Thursday 17 March at 20.45 – Denmark-Norway – TV 2 Sport 2 and TV 2 Play
Saturday 19 March at 13.30 – France-Norway – TV 2 and TV 2 Play
Saturday 19 March at 16.00 – Denmark-Spain – TV 2 Sport 2 and TV 2 Play
Sunday 20 March at 13.30 – Norway-Spain – TV 2 and TV 2 Play
Sunday 20 March at 16.00 – Denmark-France – TV 2 Sport 2 and TV 2 Play