OUT OF THE OLYMPICS: Gøran Johannessen loses the championship. Photo: IHF
––
TOKYO (VG) The handball boys lose one of their best players just days before the Olympic opening. Gøran Johannessen (27) confirms that he is leaving Japan.
–
– That’s right, Johannessen writes in an SMS to VG on Tuesday night Norwegian time and early Wednesday morning here in Tokyo (Japan is seven hours ahead of Norway) – when asked if he has to go home from the Olympics.
Thus, the Olympic dream is shattered for the Stavanger guy, who is not allowed to take part in what will be Norway’s first matches in the Olympic Games in 49 years on the men’s side.
–
See everything from the Olympics in Tokyo on discovery +
–
Johannessen does not wish to comment further until a press release from the handball association is published. It’s probably an injury.
The news comes just four days before the opening match against Brazil.
Must be replaced
The full-back, who normally plays for Flensburg in the German Bundesliga, has been a bauta for national team manager Christian Berge in recent years and contributed greatly to the team’s development and success.
Now Berge has to bring in a replacement. Norway has three reserves in place in Japan. Elverum’s Simen Holand Pettersen (23) is the only one who is a fullback, and will be a natural replacement for Johannessen.
The other two reserves in Japan are goalkeeper Espen Christensen and winger Sebastian Barthold.
Great prestige
Johannessen has announced an announcement from the handball association in due course. Unfortunately, he is not allowed to take part in the championship, which is described as the most generous for the national team.
Apart from a disappointing World Cup in Egypt in January, the handball boys have performed brilliantly in recent years. In the Olympics, they are among the gold candidates.
The tournament is divided into two pools with six teams, where four advance to the quarterfinals from each group. Norway is in the pool with Spain, Argentina, Germany, France and Brazil. The opening match is against the latter next Saturday.
– We are going up to 11 of the best teams in the world. It will be tough from start to finish. I think it suits us well. We tend to play better and better throughout the championship, superstar Sander Sagosen told VG earlier this month and added that “anything can happen”.
The case is being updated!
–
