The short version
- Norway beat Croatia 32-26 in an Olympic warm-up at Jordal Amfi
- Alexander Blonz dominated with 11 goals on 13 shots
- The Norwegian winger scored a total of 18 goals
- The match was part of the Gjensidige Cup, Norway meets Denmark and Argentina at the weekend
- All three nations are in the same group in the Olympic prelude to the summer.
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The Norwegian handball boys have laid The EC disappointment9th place during the EC in Germany was Norway’s weakest position in a championship in 10 years. behind. The good Olympic qualification in March was followed up on Thursday evening. Norway picked up the pace from the start and never looked back.
Alexander Blonz led the pace party with 11 goals on just 13 shots. The tangent of the press on the national team. Blonz scored the same against Sweden in the EC in January.
– That says something about the level he has. He scores to order, believes Tobias Grøndahl.
– Fun, says Blonz himself to VG.
The left wing scored a total of 49 goals in the EC and Olympic qualifiers, and continued the scoring spree at home. The 24-year-old has blossomed after moving from Hungarian Szeged to Danish GOG this season.
– The difference is that I have been able to play a lot more. The confidence is different when you play 60 minutes in the matches for the club team, says Blonz.
2,717 spectators in Jordal Amfi got to see the side from Stavanger wreak havoc with Croatia, who are also ready for the Olympics. On the opposite side, Kristian Bjørnsen followed with seven goals. The guests were never able to keep up with the Norwegian counterattacks.
The wingers scored a total of 18 goals.
– When we score so much, it usually results in victory, says Alexander Blonz.
Goalkeeper Torbjørn Bergerud, defensive manager Christian O’Sullivan and center Sander Sagosen all delivered a good game. While the Kolstad comet Simen Lyse submitted a good application for one of the 14 places in the Olympic squad.
The 24-year-old scored five goals.
– I think it was a nice handball match between the team and me, says Lyse to VG.
– He is really fighting for a place in the Olympic squad, says Ida Alstad, TV 2 expert and former Olympic winner.
Norway’s goal
Alexander Blonz 11, Kristian Bjørnsen 7, Simen Lyse 5, Sander Sagosen 4, Thomas Solstad 3, Petter Øverby 2.
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Simen Lyse made her championship debut with too many misses during the EC in January. But scored 13 goals in three games when Norway qualified for the Olympics in March, and has impressed with 58 goals for Kolstad in the Champions League.
– It is getting closer. It does. But there is a small troop that will go there. I just have to do what I’ve been doing so far. So (Jonas) Wille has to take me out, says the trønder.
Key player Harald Reinkind was rested with Achilles problems. He will also not be used for the next few days. Gabriel Setterblom and Magnus Søndenå got the chance to show themselves at right-back where the Olympic bereavement has washed in over the past few weeks.
But none of them convinced much.
The first meeting with Croatia since the drama of the lost European Championship semi-final four years ago. For the time being, it was the last time in the medal match for both Norway and Croatia.
Check VG’s guide to Olympic handball!
Norway continues the Gjensidige Cup against Denmark – without superstar Mikkel Hansen – on Saturday. On Sunday, Argentina is the opponent in Jordal Amfi.
Both nations are in Norway’s Olympic group for the summer.
