In 2009 the Icelander Thorir Hergeirsson undertook the great task of following in the footsteps of Marit Breivik as coach of the Norwegian women’s national team. At his first tournament, the 2009 WCh in China, he took the bronze medal; one year later he won his first title and led Norway to the fourth ECh victory in a row. Norway was thus the first women’s team apart from host Great Britain to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games. Prior to the WCh in Brazil Hergeirsson has to cope with personnel problems: The former World Handball Player Gro Hammerseng is pregnant, and key players like Tonje Larsssen or Katja Nyberg are injured. For that reason it might be possible that Norway plays with a much younger team to grab the first WCh title since 1999.
Is it an important advantage for Norway to have already qualified for the Olympics before the WCh in Brazil?
Hergeirsson: Of course this is an advantage, especially considering that we’ve had some decisive changes within our younger team for two years. We had an absolutely well attuned team for many years, and many of the players are still part of our team, but our team will undergo large but slow changes, at the latest after the Olympics.
Does that mean that the WCh is only a further step towards the Olympic preparation, or is the tournament more important for you?
Hergeirsson: We want to fight for a medal, I think this says it all. Of course the further development of the team – also in view of the Olympics – has priority. We will see in Brazil where we stand, and we have less pressure than other teams. One thing is clear though: Brazil is an important step on the way to London.
Some players like Gro Hammerseng will not be present in Brazil – how does your WCh team look like?
Hergeirsson: We have to wait until shortly before the WCh begins, as the composition of our team is not determined yet. Two or three important players were injured in the preparation phase; if they are not able to play, we will come to Brazil with a very young squad. In such a case the WCh will be a real challenge for us, but I hope that the experienced players are able to take part, since it’s much easier then to integrate the young players.
What are your aims for the WCh in Brazil?
Hergeirsson: If we are halfway complete, we want to fight for a medal in any case and initiate the change towards a young generation. If mainly young players are at our disposal, we have to find out how consistent our performance is, as we’ve lately had a lot of ups and downs in our play. Thus it all depends on our personnel, but our aim is a medal.
How do you rate your competitors?
Hergeirsson: Women’s handball has made a lot of progress in the last couple of years; many nations have developed very well and have become real competitors, which is excellent for the whole of handball. It’s thus also one of the Norwegian aims to promote women’s handball as a whole and to increase the level.
Which countries are your main competitors in the fight for the medals?
Hergeirsson: Russia and France currently have the best teams. The Russians are traditionally strong at World Championships, whereas an excellent team has grown together in France. Besides there are countries such as Sweden, Germany, Spain, Korea or Brazil, which have good chances to win a medal. I expect a lot in particular from Brazil – not only because of their home advantage. Apart from that, I expect my team to play more consistently and to extend the good periods. But as I said, that’s a question of personnel. Anyway, I think we will see an interesting team.
How do you rate your opponents in the preliminary round group?
Hergeirsson: Germany and Montenegro have great teams, but we also have to watch out for the teams from Angola and China, who can certainly cause a sensation.
The former World Handball Player Gro Hammerseng will definitely be missing in your team – do you thus lack the very key player?
Hergeirsson: If a key player is absent, other players have to assume her role, it’s that simple! Gro stated that her handball career is not yet over, but we have to see whether and how she returns to the team after her baby is born. At the moment we simply have to develop and improve our team without her.
Your team consists already of many highly talented youngsters and “middle-aged” players though.
Hergeirsson: Yes, for example Nora Mörk or Amanda Kurtovic. We have many young players who promise a good future. As far as the “middle-aged” players are concerned, they have slowly but surely assumed leading functions, which pushes our team forward as well.
Do you regard it as an advantage or a disadvantage that plenty of your national players play together in the club (Larvik) as well?
Hergeirsson: That’s no problem at all, as a great atmosphere prevails in both teams, and the players get along very well with each other. I think the national team can largely benefit from this constellation. I’m in very close contact with the club coaches of our players, in particular with Larvik of course.