Norway´s Mr. Counter attack

Fast as a shark, and as dangerous as a lion – this is the Norwegian counter attack specialist Håvard Tvedten. After some highly successful years in Spain, which included becoming top-scorer of the Asobal Liga, he returned to the North prior to this season, and now plays for Danish club Ålborg.

For several years, the 33 year-old wing player has been one of the key players in the rise of the Norwegian men’s team – a story they want to continue at the EHF EURO in Serbia, as Tvedten says in this interview with ehf-euro.com.

ehf-euro.com: From Serbia to London – is it one of your major objectives to get closer to the Olympics?

Håvard Tvedten: Everybody wants to play at the Olympics, and we also have this goal. But the primary objective is to have a really good result at the EHF EURO 2012 in Serbia.

ehf-euro.com: What are the strengths of the Norwegian team?

Håvard Tvedten: We have a strong defence from which we create our counter attacks. Aside from this, we have a good mixture of old and young players.

ehf-euro.com: You are an expert when it comes to speed and counter attacks – will the Norwegian men’s team play this style, as your women do so successfully?

Håvard Tvedten: Well, we want to play fast handball with a good defensive base, so hopefully we'll achieve something with that.

ehf-euro.com: Which team is your favourite for winning for the group in the Preliminary Round?

Håvard Tvedten: We will, of course, go for the top place, but I think this is a totally open group.

ehf-euro.com: Will the duel vs. Iceland be the decisive match?

Håvard Tvedten: We've had many hard battles against Iceland during the last couple of years, and this game will be just as important as the others.

ehf-euro.com: How important is men’s handball currently in Norway?

Håvard Tvedten: Men's handball has grown to be a very popular sport in Norway. We've succeeded in qualifying for all the recent tournaments and also proved that men’s handball is very entertaining.

ehf-euro.com: What would it mean to you personally to follow your women to London?

Håvard Tvedten: That would mean a lot…

ehf-euro.com: What are your expectations from Serbia as the EHF EURO organizer?

Håvard Tvedten: Lots of spectators, plenty of good food, and that they will make it a tournament where the players only have to concentrate on playing good handball!

Further information

Download the Official EHF EURO 2012 Playing Schedule (pdf)

Buy your EHF EURO 2012 tickets HERE.

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Find more information on the tournament on the official website www.ehf-euro.com/SRB2012/

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