KATOWICE (Dagbladet): Three of Norway’s handball luminaries in Sander Sagosen, Magnus Abelvik Rød and Gøran Johannessen will exchange German club handball with Kolstad in Trondheim this summer.
When Fieblay visited Flensburg-Abelvik-Rode and Johansen in Germany ahead of the World Cup, the duo joked that they were looking forward to escaping German bureaucracy when they announced their move to Trondheim.
Breeds: – It couldn’t be more embarrassing
– Totally crazy
When Dagbladet picks up the joke the day before Norway faces Germany in the World Cup main round group final, Johansen is quick to follow through.
– It’s not a joke. I’m totally serious. The bureaucracy you face in Germany is quite insane if you come from Norway where you have a computer and understand how electronics work. Then you get to Germany and everything goes through the mail. It’s very annoying when you come down and don’t understand German at first, he explains with a wide smile on his face.
His colleague Abelvik Rød is a bit more diplomatic.
Germany is a little behind when it comes to technology. There’s some paperwork you’re looking forward to getting done, he smiles.
Norway responds
In any case, it was clear to him and Johansen that many bus trips away from home would also be good to avoid.
– What I look forward to most is not having to travel. We’re on the road a lot, and I must have spent 3,000 hours on the bus, says Johansen.
Disgusting
– Very Wonderful
He and Abelvik Rudd have been to Flensburg several times this year. Despite their aversion to the German bureaucracy, they do not hide the fact that they also have handball in the country close to their chest.
After a good start to the World Cup, there is a lot of interest in the German national team. Whether from the stands or in the press area, German journalists are also surrounded by German-Norwegian professionals.
– It’s so cool. Germany is the best country in the world for handball culture and stands. That’s why we chose to play in Germany, it’s very interesting to play there. Followers, Johansen explains, come to Poland and live a wonderful life.
It also makes no secret that the match means something extra for the Norwegian league’s eight professionals.
Qatar’s move is amazing
– I think all of us who play in Germany want to beat them. It’s ridiculous to show that we play club handball in Germany, but we are a better national team.
– Is there anyone you’d particularly like to rub in with?
– My team mate Johannes Knoll. It’s only because he plays for Germany. He’s a great person both on and off the field, but when you’re playing for the same club you want to show who’s the best, he’s the one I want to beat, Johansen stresses.
World Cup massacre
Kiel pro Sander Sagosen is also ready.
– It’s great that there is interest. We are really looking forward to the group final. Germany is a great team, Sagossen tells Dagbladet, but we have to be well prepared and continue to feel happy with us.
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