Thorir Hergeirsson – Explains the settlement:
When Dagbladet asked Thorir Hergeirsson about the criticism the Danish team received after suffering a shock loss in the opening match of the EC in November against Slovenia, the Norwegian national team manager started a small media storm.
– It is probably quite similar to what we experience in Norway. If we lose a match in the championship, we are both inept and talentless. It doesn’t take much, replied Hergeirsson.
Sorry, Norway
It got Viaplay profile Daniel Høglund and Ole Erevik to react. A few hours later after Norway had beaten Hungary, Hergeirsson took issue with, among other things, social media and the criticism that can come against the Norwegian team.
One month after the final victory against Denmark, Hergeirsson took the time to talk to Dagbladet. For the first time since 2000, he has spent December at home with his family.
– In the year 2000, my youngest was born. Then I was in charge of the EC in Romania, I had to stay there and do analysis work, but prioritized the family. It is a bit unusual and different, but it has been very pleasant, explains Hergeirsson, who said that he has not been unemployed in the run-up to Christmas.
– A tip
When Dagbladet takes up the discussion around criticism of the Norwegian team, Hergeirsson points out that it is not something he has thought much about since the discussion he had in the interview zone in Ljubljana.
– There are always high expectations for the handball girls. Many feel ownership of the team and get involved. We live well with that, but it feels a bit like you take it for granted that we have to win, he explains.
Norwegian celebration: – Annoying
– But this is top sport. It’s not like we’re necessarily bad if we don’t win. We must be humble enough to see that many others are at a good level, with good players and good resources. It was a hint in that direction, continues Hergeirsson.
– Felt it
In the Danish squad was the harassment several players received in direct messages on social media and theme during the EC.
Hergeirsson says that he does what he can to influence his players to sign off during the championship. He does not want to go into detail, but says that there have been concrete incidents, especially in recent years.
– It is players with us who have experienced internet trolls and rude comments. That is why we spare ourselves from it.
He says that factual criticism is something the national team must both listen to and appreciate. But that social media likes to give a mouthpiece to those who are not interested in it.
– That’s a lot of shit. It gets very personal and ugly, and not at all about the performance at all. Then it is important to rise above it. At the same time, it is a bad arena for young people to visit. Far too many have access to it and those who do are not good role models for those growing up today.
– The young, fresh thinkers, they handle everything, and then they realize that it was not so easy. It has become part of the things you have to learn to deal with, concludes Hergeirsson on the theme.
Peach: – Scandal
– No conclusion
The 58-year-old has two years left on his contract as Norwegian national team manager. Next year, the WC awaits in Norway and Denmark, before the Olympics and EC are on the poster in 2024. He has already started the work towards the next highlights.
Hergeirsson explains that the coaching team is in the process of analyzing the job they did in Slovenia and has collected feedback from the playing group.
– Fuck it
– We have no conclusion yet. But it was a strong work effort by that group to go to the top. Now we have to figure out what we want to continue with and what we need to do differently.
On the other hand, it is one thing he has already concluded is too bad.
– We have a lot to do on the counter-attack. We have been stronger there in the past. On the other hand, we did better in other situations in this championship. But it is a phase in which we have been strong and in which we want to improve again.