– I know that my colleagues still get questions, more so before, but about what it’s like to work with the Icelander who is always grumpy, he jokingly tells news. Thorir Hergeirsson is stepping down as national team coach after this EC. So far, he has led the Norwegian team to 15 medals in as many years in the manager’s chair. And even though he has been successful on the track, he has always had to live with the label of grumpy. – It has actually been a development task, how I affect those who do not know me. Because over the years, Hergeirsson has become more aware of how he presents himself, even if this is something that doesn’t particularly bother him. Camilla Herrem says that several new players who have joined the team have been “intimidated” by the Icelander’s “thinking face”. – They asked; “Why are you so angry, Thorir?” This was when I was younger, and he just said, “No, I’m not mad?”. Compared to “Sinnataggen” – You know I need to think sometimes. And if I think about something that is challenging, I tend to get such an expression on my face that people take it to mean that I am either angry or upset, he says with a smile. SINNATAGGEN: He has been compared to the sculpture Sinnataggen. Photo: Gorm Kallestad / NTB And although he would prefer not to be perceived as sour and angry, he has also had to put up with being made fun of for his stern expression on his face. When he coached Elverum in the 90s, he was the subject of this year’s revue. It was when “Sinnataggen” became the chair from Vigelandsparken. – It was no problem that “Sinnataggen” had been removed from Vigelandsparken, they could only hire Hergeirsson during the day to stand in the park. That’s how they perceived me there at the start. I think they have a different impression after they got to know me, at least the 60-year-old. The story of “Sinnataggen” causes the Norwegian national team players to burst out laughing. – He could certainly be nice there, laughs goalkeeper Silje Solberg-Østhassel. SMILES: Camilla Herrem is probably best known for her smile and laughter. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB Herrem, who in the EC is in his 20th championship, has heard several stories from when the boss was a coach in Elverum. – He said in an interview once that he had thrown a shoe or something. But I think that volcano has calmed down a bit now, tells the Sola player and laughs heartily. Like an Icelandic volcano The Icelander believes that there is a big difference between being angry and committed. – I was angry, that’s something else. There is nothing wrong with being angry and doing something. One can be engaged. I’ve learned to manage it a bit over the years, naturally enough. But I come from a volcanic island, and we are a bit like volcanoes in temperament in Iceland. Hurry up, and then it will be fun. EC: Thorir Hergeirsson leads his last EC as coach for the Norwegian handball girls. Photo: Beate Oma Dahle / NTB The fact that young players react to the way he can be perceived has made him take action. – Then it’s okay to remember and pull out a smile every now and then. To find the explanation for it all, the 60-year-old, who usually lives on Jæren, believes that we need to return to Saga Island. – I owe it to my genes. We have something genetic, not to say wrong, but we have some of mine on my father’s side, all the boys. And it becomes very marked when we think, concludes the Icelander. SEE HIM SMILING: Despite everything, the 60-year-old has a career with the Norwegian national team that is good reason to smile. Photo: Fredrik Saltbones / news Published 02.12.2024, at 12.42 Updated 02.12.2024, at 13.22
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