It has been known for almost a week that the multi-million dollar handball project Kolstad HB from Trondheim, Norway, got into serious trouble before it even really got started. A backcourt star could pack his things prematurely – and soon play in the handball Bundesliga again.
Just last year, middle man Janus Smarason changed from Frisch Auf! Göppingen to the supposed top club Kolstad HB, which had been heavily upgraded in terms of personnel and had its sights set on the European top.
After other stars of international handball such as ex-Kiel striker Sander Sagosen or the Flensburg duo Magnus Röd and Göran Johannessen moved to Kolstad this summer, the club quickly got into serious financial difficulties.
Last Tuesday, the club announced that, among other things, player salaries would have to be drastically reduced.
There is talk of savings of up to 30 percent, which obviously not all players are willing to support.
Magdeburg boss wants to “readjust again”
According to “Sport Bild”, Smarason is said to be one of those willing to emigrate. The magazine referred to the Norwegian broadcaster “TV2”, which informed that the Iceland international had not appeared for the obligatory medical check at the start of the preparation.
As it was also said, a move to Champions League winner SC Magdeburg would now be a very realistic option for the 28-year-old, who was still under contract in Göppingen in the HBL between 2020 and 2022.
The reason for the speculation is that the team of successful coach Bennet Wiegert absolutely has to do more in the center backcourt after top player and Smarason compatriot Gisli Kristjansson injured his throwing arm badly.
“It’s clear that we want to make adjustments again due to the tight program at the start of the season,” SCM Managing Director Marc-Henrik Schmedt had already announced.