Christian Berge takes over Norway's men's national team

Christian Berge (40) was introduced as the new coach for Norway's men's national team less than two weeks after his predecessor Robert Hedin stepped down on 19 February.

Berge, who will be combining the job as national coach with his job as head coach of Norwegian champions Elverum HH, is going to be in charge of the national team until after the play-off matches for the 2015 World Championship against Austria in June.

Berge will also have the main responsibility for the junior national teams.

"This is the best solution, and through Christian's leadership the good work which has been done with the male national teams will be carried on," Karl-Arne Johannessen, President of the Norwegian Handball Federation said.

"All our teams face important tasks in the near future, and they all gather in Gothenburg for a large training camp already next Monday."

Humble and proud

"I'm really happy to have the opportunity to lead Norway's national team, and I'm looking forward to starting all the tasks that are ahead of us together with the rest of the team," said Christian Berge who played 63 internationals and scored 251 goals for Norway.

He was furthermore a highly skilled playmaker, also with a fine career in German Bundesliga club SG Flensburg-Handewitt.

"I'm humble and proud to get the chance to lead the work in a job which has always been my goal. We are facing many important tasks from now on and until summer, in particular the two important matches against Austria in June.

"My main goal is to qualify for the 2015 World championship in Qatar," Christian Berge said.

After the season the decision for a more permanent solution regarding the job as national coach will be made by the federation.

Photo: Håvard Jørstad