It is a bitter setback for the Norwegian national handball team shortly before the start of the European Championships, where they are one of the favorites as co-hosts: Harald Reinkind from the German record champions THW Kiel will miss Norway at the tournament from January 15th to February 1st due to injury.
The Norwegian national team is losing one of its most experienced backcourt players. And at the most inopportune time.
As the Norwegian Handball Association NHF announced on Monday, citing team doctor Thomas Torgalsen, the 33-year-old suffered the injury at the beginning of December. Nevertheless, Reinkind gritted his teeth and played two more games in severe pain.
“He had the feeling that he couldn’t train properly. We agreed that he would take part in the national team’s training and were optimistic that things would turn out for the better. Now we had him thoroughly examined, including an ultrasound, and discovered that there was a tear in the connective tissue membrane under the foot,” explained Torgalsen. The finding now left no room for maneuver: Harald Reinkind has to pass for the European Championships.
Norway meets, among others, France
Until the end, the association tried everything to make it possible for the left-hander to play. “We tried various measures, including taping his foot, to see if he could train and play without pain. But that didn’t help.”
For Reinkind, the dream of a home tournament ends early; Simen Schönningsen has already been nominated.
The loss is both sporty and emotional. Reinkind has been one of the pillars of the Norwegian selection for years and brings international experience at the highest level. Especially at a tournament in your own country, the half-right should take on a key role.
Norway is a possible main round opponent for the German team at the European Championships. The Handballgutta (“Handball Boys”) will meet defending champions France, the Czech Republic and Ukraine in preliminary group C in Oslo.