“Other things feel more important”
According to the World Cup: Handball star steps back from national team
01/27/2025 – 07:12 a.m.Reading time: 1 min.
Kristian Björnsen is one of the most famous players in the Norwegian team. But in the future, the right wing will no longer run for the Scandinavians.
Kristian Björnsen has announced his resignation from the Norwegian national team. The 36-year-old informed his teammates on Friday evening-shortly after winning Chile at the Handball World Championship. Due to the results in the parallel games, the Norway at the World Cup was sealed at the time. The main round game against Sweden on Sunday evening was his 215th and at the same time the last international match.
On the website of the Norwegian handball association, Björnsen explained his motives: “I thought about it for a long time. Since the children are getting older, I have the feeling that I was getting more and more. That made the decision easier for me,” said the right wing.
The national team made a large part of its life. “I enjoy every day that I spend with the troop. It is the coolest thing I do and nothing has changed. This is exactly what makes this decision so difficult to leave this part behind,” said Björnsen. But: “Other things now feel more important to me.”
The left -hander does not want to end his career completely. Björnsen is under contract with Aalborg until summer 2026: “I will fulfill it, and then we see what happens. The handball world will not get rid of me yet.”