Past heroes back in the Zebra squad

A 42-year-old Norwegian and a 35-year-old Swede are the newest arrivals at THW Kiel right before the quarter-finals of the VELUX EHF Champions League against Pick Szeged. Goalkeeper Steinar Ege and left wing Henrik Lundström have been signed by the three-time champions after injuries ensured that Andreas Palicka and Dominik Klein are set for a long period on the side-lines.

Kiel was looking for two players eligible to play both in the Bundesliga and VELUX EHF Champions League, and found what they needed in two former players.

Lundström replaces Dominik Klein, who suffered from a cruciate ligament rupture last week in the Bundesliga match against Erlangen. Klein will be out at least for eight months, and the only other left wing in the THW squad was 21-years-old Rune Dahmke.

Lundström did not take long to accept the THW offer. The Swedish international had played for the Zebras from 2004 to 2012 and ended his career one year ago at Gothenburg club Redbergslids. The 35-year-old was part of all three European triumphs in 2007, 2010 and 2012.

“I did not hesitate a single second, when THW asked me to help,” says Lundström, who’s current position is the director of Redbergslids.

“Henrik will definitely need no time to adapt. He knows the club, he knows the players, he knows the coach and he knows all our tactics,” says coach Alfred Gislason.

The other “new, old arrival” has already enjoyed his comeback in the Kiel jersey. Goalkeeper Steinar Ege played in the last two Bundesliga matches for THW, replacing Swedish international Andreas Palicka, who was injured in the Last 16 match against Flensburg and will be out until May.

Ege played for THW Kiel from 1999 until 2002 and won the EHF Cup in that era. The long-term Norwegian number 1 was with AG Kobenhavn on their run to the 2012 VELUX EHF FINAL4, before bringing an end to his career. Now he is back with No. 32, while Lundström will wear 5 on his playing shirt in the Kiel squad.