05.03.2010, 10:03
Ask for Kolding

Kolding find temporary solution to pivot problem.

Ask for Kolding

Current number three in Champions League Group 4, Danish champions KIF Kolding have had a pivot problem since the middle of January. It occurred when Bosnian international Muhamed Toromanović tore his cruciade ligament in a World Cup qualification match for his country.

Since then, Danish international René Toft Hansen has been the only pivot in the squad. But now he has got company at the line position, as former Swedish international Olof Ask has joined the club with immediate effect.

Ask has been training with Kolding since his former employer, Danish league club GOG Svendborg TGI went bankrupt in January. He is going to play the rest of the season for Kolding on an amateur basis, as the club is currently not in a financial position to sign new contracts.

Olof Ask who has played eight internationals for Sweden, is not eligible for Kolding’s last Champions League group match at home against FC Barcelona on Saturday. But he is allowed to play in the round of the last 16, for which the Danes are already qualified.

Debut Wednesday

"I simply wanted to play handball again, and the solution I have found with KIF gives me the opportunity to still be visible in Danish and international handball. I would like to maintain my ambitions, which still include handball at top level and maybe return to the national team again," Olof Ask stated, as his move to Kolding was officially announced.

"After Toromanović’s injury, we had an empty space in our team sheet, although not in our budget, so this was the opportunity we could offer him," KIF Kolding’s director Jens Boesen said.

Olof Ask is eligible for the Danish league already, and made his debut in Wednesday evening’s away game against Cup Winners Cup quarter-finalists Tvis Holstebro. In the game he scored once and did a remarkably fine job on the right back position in the defence.

Kolding won the match 26-23 after having been six goals down with 20 minutes left.

TEXT: Peter Bruun