Major setback for Team Iceland in Serbia;Olafur Stefansson out – Handball News Special
Iceland’s Team Coach, Guomunder Guomundsson, is now facing problems about setting goals while they are playing their first major championship for 18 years without their main weapon, Olafur Stefansson, in the team.
Considering many other teams, Iceland is one of the bronze medallists from Austria. At the moment, the team seems unsure of the target they can set and achieve for EHF Euro 2012 in Serbia. The main problem that comes forth for
the team is the health of these players.
Counting out, three of the best Iceland players are struggling from injuries. Left back, Arnor Atlason is nursing a herniated disc in his back while their goal keeper suffers from a shoulder injury. The third player, and probably
their main warhead, Olafur Stefansson, has been out of the game since he had his knee injury back in June.
Considering a key concern of the players being unable to play, the coach is extremely worried as he is relying on these three key players for the tournament. However, the good news for the team comes in next. Gustavsson, goal keeper,
wouldn’t need a shoulder injury rather rest and might as well make it back into the team.
“Atlason´s case is delicate. If we‘re lucky he will last the whole tournament, but with a back injury like that, you never know. As for Stefánsson, the odds on him going to Serbia decrease for every week that goes by without
him making a comeback” the coach added.
The scenario is a difficult one. If Stefansson does not enter the team by the event, this would be the first major championship for the team since the World Championship in Sweden in 1993. With the current situation of the players,
the coach, Goumundsson is considering the hesitancy regarding his main players.
However, team Iceland is still committed in securing the main round first. Facing a hard group, Croatia and Slovenia, the team needs to play hard in order to out run their opponents. Nevertheless, if they clear the qualifier, the
main round includes matches with France, Spain, Russia and Hungary.
“it‘s hard to say what our aims should be. But rest assure, when we get to Serbia, we will try to win every game and go as far as possible.” Says the coach.
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