News Archive - ultimo 1999:

• World Championship 99
• Anja Andersen will build up new Danish super-team
• Denmark wins Jolly Cup
• Top players not in the World Championship
• Camilla Andersen to Norwegian team Tertnes?
• Tonje elected Female Handball Player of the Year
• Anja's heart disease due to lack of magnesium?
• Anja not BSK trainer anyway?
• The Pre-Olympics in Australia: Victory to Denmark!
• Anja Andersen stops her career due to heart disease!
• Anja's participation in the WC questionable
• Welcome a new bouncing (handball-) baby

Congratulations to Norway for winning gold, France silver and Austria bronze

Norway - France: 25 - 24 after two periods of prolonged time

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Denmark - Hungary

Denmark - Hungary: Oh, well..... 27 - 35 meaning a 6.th place to Denmark. I'm sorry, folks!

Top scorer was Kristine Andersen with 7 goals. Tonje Kj�rgaard also did it very well and made 4 goals. She did seem to be the only one willing to fight, the rest had given up on advance and made the worst performance ever. No wonder Pytlick was furious. The big rush to the bottom of the pit seemed to start the moment the unthinkable happened: Camilla got injured. She could only watch the nightmare evolve from afar, unable to help.

Passing out during the first half, I had a strange dream. I could hear what the Danish players said to one another..

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Denmark - Macedonia

Denmark - Macedonia: 30 - 25

Today it did not hurt as much watching the game, but the temperature was low inside as well as outside the Norwegian hall. However, the opponent Macedonia was well-known from the previous meeting and not that frightening apart from their major force. Macedonia did not only play to win but also to qualify themselves to the next Olympic games. It started well with the Danes taking the initiative and during the first four minutes scored to 4-1 (Camilla three times). After the first half it was as close as 16-13. The less successful players were given a chance, like Merete M�ller, Maja Gr�nbek and Mette Vestergaard, but they did not improve anything. The two Macedonian backs Kastratovic and Abramova were too strong to screen and the first mentioned scored 11 times.In the second half both Mette Vestergaard and Camilla Andersen scored three times each.

All in all, the demoralized Danish players managed to pull themselves together in at least parts of the match and show some interesting handball. Even though there were a bit more speed and rhythm in the Danish game today, there are still too many errors and moments of dozing off.

Major scorer were Camilla and Tonje with 6 goals each. It was particularly nice to see Tonje's luck returning, her fighter spirit defying her injury. She is a tough girl, not letting anyone see her pain. Also Louise Pedersen showed her potentials as a wing.

Hurrah to Gitte Sunesen for being such a vital and experienced part of the team. And it is her birthday today. Tonje Kj�rgaard was elected the best player of the match and Camilla was a good candidate as well.

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Denmark - France

Denmark - France: 17 - 19 (7-9) after prolonged time. Ordinary match: 13-13

For Denmark: Camilla Andersen 6, Katrine Fruelund 4, Anja Nielsen 3, Mette Vestergaard 2, Christina Roslyng 2.

I have nothing positive to say about the Danish team, apart from the heroic performance by Gitte Sunesen. According to Tonje, this was the worst experience she'd ever had - and the rest of us too. Denmark is out of reach of any medals and must only play for the 5th place or lower. This is the biggest flop ever as all expected at least bronze.

A significant part of the blame is to be placed with the (horribly bad or even corrupt?) referees and the brutal and ugly play by the French. But that does not excuse the fact, that the major part of the blame lies with a bewitched Danish team, totally immobile and confused, paralyzed with fear and indecision. No one can really understand what happened. The nerves of the new players could not stand the pressure and the experienced players were infected somehow. The coach Pytlick did not manage to do the required rearrangements in time, many would argue.

But at least we did not loose the possibility of going to the next Olympics. That will be the next goal and opportunity to regain respect as a team. This is best forgotten.

*

Denmark - Brazil

Denmark - Brazil: 30 - 23 (15 - 14)

Merete M�ller 6(1), Lotte Ki�rskou 5, Mette Vestergaard 4, Maja Gr�nb�k 3, Louise Pedersen 3, Tonje Kj�rgaard 2, Line Daugaard 2, Camilla Andersen 2(1), Kristine Andersen 1, Pernille Hansen 1.

The horror! Don't ever do this to us again! Apart from the last 10 minutes of this match, the Danes played so outright awfull, that it is hardly worth elaborating on it here. All thought it was just a formality to win this "easy game", so all the best players were spared. From the bench, they could only watch with amazement what happened on court. 16 minutes into the second half, the score was 16-16. Camilla was not supposed to be playing at all, but when defeat became a possibility, she was sent on court like a one-woman cavalry to save her country. Just her being there seemed to encourage her fellow players and Lotte and Rantala secured the extra space needed.

No one seems to know the explanation for this miserable performance, apart from the fact that the players were too sure of the victory and already were planning the next match inside their heads. Man, it was bad, hectic and confused. Are there any Brazilian witch doctors among the audience, I wonder?

But one worry at a time. Or rather two: Tonje hurt her elbow and the extent of the injury is not yet known (before the match the coaches said: If Tonje or Camilla get injured, we are really in trouble). The second worry is our next opponent, France. I don't mean to be negative, but I've seen France play in Jolly Cup and they were frightening! But that is just the point: bad nerves and insecurity are the worst enemies for the young team, who can beat all on a good day but also throw chances away on a bad day. I hope they broke the spell during the last minutes and regained some confidence. They CAN do it, I know!

P.S. Congratulations to Kris with her match no. 50 for the national team.

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Denmark - Germany

Denmark - Germany: 31 - 28 (13 -13)

Phew...that was a thriller indeed. Up until the last minutes the two teams were equal. The entire team did a great job, especially in the second half. This is something to be proud of, considering how good a team Germany is and how good a player Grit Jurack is (she has learned a lot from Anja). When it came to making just the extra goals that gave the extra space, Camilla, Ki�rskou and Fruelund took action.

For Denmark: Danmark: Lotte Ki�rskou 7 (2), Camilla Andersen 7 (3), Anja Nielsen 4, Katrine Fruelund 4, Christina Roslyng 3, Line Daugaard 3, Mette Vestergaard 2, Tonje Kj�rgaard 1.

For Germany: Grit Jurack 12 (5), Bianca Urbanke 3, Kathrin Blacha 3, Ingrida Radzeviciute 3, Agnieszka Tobiasz 1, Rasa Sulskyte 2, Renate Hodak-Meier 1, Anja Unger 1, Agnete B�lk 1.

*

Denmark - Macedonia

Denmark - Macedonia: 27 -24 (11 -11)

The Danish team was facing its first real challenge after the initial walk-over matches. And in the first half we were beginning to fear, that the inexperienced team could not live up to the expectations. The Macedonians could score as they pleased through a weak 3-2-1 defense, with Danish players too nervous to do anything constructive or disciplined. Only the goalkeeper Gitte Sunesen guarded the last defenses brilliantly and thus saved us from a major catastrophe.

But in the second half the story changed. The defense was altered to 6 -0 and the players found their speed and long shots again. Especially Camilla, Tonje and Katrine Fruelund woke up and took care of the victory. Camilla stated, that she is very proud of her team, never giving up the fight. Camilla became top scorer with 10 goals.

If Denmark wins over Germany tonight, we will win group C. It means that we may postpone the feared meeting with the Norwegians until a possible final. But if Norway looses more matches, soo that they end third in their group, we may already face them in the quarterfinals. Should we cheer the Norwegians or not? That is the question!

*

Cry Argentina!

Denmark - Argentina: 42 -5

Goals for Denmark (and lots of them): Lotte Kiærskou 7 (4), Kristine Andersen 7, Merete Møller 6 (1), Line Daugaard 5, Christine Roslyng 5, Louise Pedersen 4, Pernille Hansen 3, Anja Nielsen 2, Maja Grønbæk 2, Natasja Dybmose 1

Not very much is to be said about this insane and embarrassing match against the Argentineans, who received a big humiliation in front of 3.000 partying spectators in Kolling Hallen. It emphasizes the problems created by the the International Handball Federation which demands 24 teams in the WC and representatives from each continent, no matter the quality of those teams. It is thus a political decision which only harms the sport in general instead of encouraging the lesser handball nations as was the intention. And it harms the teams in the Championship, who could spend their time and energy better. The poor Argentinean team had even paid for their own tickets to go here.

Congratulations to Lene Rantala who played her match no. 150, to Maja Grønbæk for her first WC goal, to the goalkeeper Natasja Dybmose for HER first goal (no offense, but even the spectators could have been invited on court to make goals). Also praise to Kristine Andersen who finally got into the right mood and showed her potentials. We only hope the players did not waste too much of their energy, which they will need when the Championship "really" begins. The major forces were not on the court such as Tonje and Camilla.

What do you think about the structure of the Championship? Must it include amateurish teams from around the globe, even though they are not really qualified? Let's discuss it in my board room.

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Denmark - Japan

Denmark - Japan 28 -15 (13 -8)

Goals for Denmark: Katrine Fruelund 4, Mette Vestergaard 3, Pernille Hansen 5, Merete Møller 1, Tonje Kjærgaard 5, Kristine Andersen 4, Line Daugård 4

Another of the easy victories won in this second WC match against the rather unknown (but promising) team from Japan.

It is still difficult to sense where the Danish team stands when it comes to meeting real resistance. Some sense of insecurity could be spotted on court, but not from the new players, as could be expected.

Line Daugaard made her WC debut as major scorer with six goals (she replaced Roslyng, who had a resting day). Another debutante, Pernille Hansen also did well and made five goals.

However, more experienced players like Merete Møller, Kristine Andersen and Mette Vestergaard had some difficulties and lacked self-confidence, concentration and ability to take responsibility. Camilla Andersen took it very easy during the 30 minutes, she was on court and did not score a single goal. The opponent was not important enough to spend too much energy on in such a long and tough tournament.

The attack was having an off-day generally whereas the defense (6-0) did well, especially Tonje and the debutante Pernille Hansen (5 goals). That was a good support for Rantala and Sunesen, who kept their high standards in the goal.

Towards the end of the game, Kristine Andersen hurt her (previously injured) elbow and gave us all a scare, but she will be ready for Argentina on Thursday.

Denmark - Angola

Denmark - Angola: 31 -12 (15 -7)

Top scorers: Camilla Andersen and Christina Roslyng (7).
Camilla hereby beats Anja Andersen's record on the national team (which was 725 goals in total) with two goals.

Goals for Denmark: Christina Roslyng 7, Camilla Andersen 7 (4), Katrine Fruelund 4, Louise Pedersen 4, Anja Nielsen 3, Kristine Andersen 3 (2), Tonje Kjærgaard 2, Lotte Kiærskou 1

This was an expected victory over the first opponent in the Championship. The major goal for the players was to keep their concentration during the whole match in spite of the easy task and furthermore to try out various tactical and technical details before facing the more rough teams. The first half was extremely promising with a very motivated team and a supportive audience. However, things tended to fall a bit apart in the attack during the second half. Contras were good and so were the goalies. The new players Louise Pedersen and Anja Nielsen had a fine start and of course Camilla Andersen was radiant with energy.

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Anja Andersen will build up new Danish super team

The plan was not to be revealed until the World Championship was well over, but somebody could not keep quiet: Anja Andersen plans to become coach for the Danish 2. division team Slagelse and build it up to be among the best in the country. She will bring along a few major international players, but in general her intention is to build the team up from scratch. Her friend and fellow player from B�kkelaget Jeong Ho Hong (Korea) has already agreed and could not help telling the world. Who the other big names will be is yet unclear. Anja has asked Camilla Andersen to join but she has refused. Camilla finds it a good idea as such, but personally she prefers to stay in FIF. She feels that she cannot afford to waste a season in 2. division. "Maybe later - but then Anja will probably not accept me."

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Denmark wins Jolly Cup

Even though the Danish national team won over France, Holland and a collection of Danish players chosen by the press (the so called "Team of the Press") in the Jolly Cup this weekend, they are far from the favorites to win back the World Championship. This became obvious as the team, now filled up with young inexperienced replacements for the many injured core players, huddled through their last matches before "the big event" begins next week. Only players like Camilla Andersen and Tonje Kjærgaard seem to keep it all going.

France came second, Holland third and the Team of the Press last.

Denmark - The Team of the Press

Denmark - The Team of the Press: 31-26 (17-14)

For Denmark:
Camilla Andersen 7, Louise Pedersen 6, Tonje Kjærgaard 5, Lotte Kiærskou 4, Christina Roslyng Hansen 4, Mette Vestergaard 3, Pernille Hansen 1, Anja Nielsen 1.

Team of the Press:
Tina Bøttzau 6(2), Winnie Mølgaard 5, Rikke Skov 5, Maja Højer 3, Josephine Touray 3, Anne Jensen 2, Rikke Hørlykke 1, Ditte Bergsted 1.

Spectators: 700 (Amongst the chosen few: yours truly! I'll write about that experience later.)

Denmark - Holland:

Denmark - Holland: 32-24 (14-12)

For Denmark:
Camilla Andersen 8 (4), Mette Vestergaard 6, Tonje Kjærgaard 6, Katrine Fruelund 3, Maja Grønbæk 3, Anja Nielsen 2, Merete Møller 2 (1), Christina Roslyng Hansen 1, Louise Pedersen 1

Spectators: 1200

Denmark - France:
Denmark - France: 33-25 (13-12)

For Denmark: Anja Nielsen 6, Tonje Kjærgaard 5, Mette Vestergaard 5, Katrine Fruelund 3, Louise Pedersen 3, Line Daugård 3, Kristine Andersen 2, Camilla Andersen 2, Lotte Kiærskou 2 (2), Christina Roslyng 1, Pernille Hansen 1.

Anette Hoffmann and Janne Kolling not in the World Championship

Hopes fade for regaining the World Championship (starting in two weeks) as more and more of the "old" experienced players cancel their participation. Now both Janne Kolling and Anette Hoffmann must watch the national team from the bench, nursing the injuries which prevent their most required participation. Karen Broedsgaard is the latest newcomer on the list of injuries and won't be part of the WC team either. Is it allowed to swear on this website? 'Cos I'll do so in a moment!! The average age on the team is terribly close to teenage now! The final World Champion team.

Camilla Andersen to Norwegian team Tertnes?

Camilla Andersen may leave her Danish team FIF for the Norwegian team Tertnes, where also Janne Kolling from the Danish national team is playing, along with Camilla's girlfriend Mia Hundvin. The transfer can take place as soon as her contract allows it.

According to Norwegian newspapers, it was Camilla who first talked about her interest in Tertnes during an interview. The decisive factors should be their good coach Gunnar Pettersen, her girlfriend Mia Hundvin, Janne Kolling and "the interesting town of Bergen" (Hm, I know which factor" is the major one!). Camilla has participated in Tertnes' training a couple of times and also had meetings with Tertnes' sponsors.

Bækkelaget also had an interest in getting Camilla back, but they could not get the required sponsor money and thus Camilla looked elsewhere. At the moment the Danish TV channel TV2 is paying Camilla's wages at FIF, as the club has financial problems. It also has problems with getting the kind of results which can motivate Camilla. Also her dissatisfaction with the new French trainer for FIF, Carole Martin, has made her take this decision.

Tonje elected Female Handball Player of the Year

It is the second year in a row that Tonje Kjærgaard won this Danish election and the Wilbek trophy.

Tonje had 83 votes, against the 17 votes of number two Karen Brødsgaard (Viborg).

Third: Lotte Kiærskou (Frederikshavn) with 56 votes
Fourth: Ditte Bergstedt (FIF), 43
Fifth: Anja Andersen (Bækkelaget), 25

Anja's heart disease due to lack of magnesium?

Maybe Anja has found the reason for her heart disease: a combination of lack of magnesium and straining herself too much. The official hospital system in Norway does not believe in this explanation, which was found by the use of alternative medicine in Denmark. A cure has been started and after a month, the pills have already improved her condition, according to herself. But this does not mean that we will see her on the national team again. However, she plans to play all of the Dream Team matches next year.

After Christmas, she will probably return to Denmark after ten years abroad. Here, she will start a career as a trainer and develop her handball schools further.

Anja not BSK assistant trainer anyway?

Anja may have changed her mind about a career as assistant trainer for her Norwegian team Bækkelaget, with which she still has a contract, even though her playing career is over for good. She has stated to a Danish tabloid, that she will come up with something new and interesting, but will not tell what and refers to her lawyer and sports manager, who are also silent.

Her Norwegian trainer Frode Kyvåg claims he does not know of these plans.

His team has had a tough season and Anja's good-bye has left a big gap and the need for a new style of playing. The Norwegians say: A Bækkelaget without Anja is like New Years Eve without fireworks!

Southern Cross International Challenge 99 in Sydney: Danish victory!

Finals: Denmark - Norway: 25 -21(14-10)

We are back in power! After a difficult period of transition, the "new" team is about to take shape and live up to previous results. The new young players have found their places and are getting confident enough to step out of the shade of the remaining "old" star players (AND the now retired Anja Andersen, most of all).

Olympic gold medals belong to Denmark - that is almost a law of nature - so we Danes tend to think! And even if this is only the Pre-Olympics, this victory is very promising for the "real" Olympics to come and also for the World Championship in a few months time. What a lovely revenge - after a few embarrassing defeats to Norway (who took our European Championship away - as a loan) this gives self-confidence.

Goals for Denmark: Camilla Andersen 6 (2), Tonje Kjærgaard 4, Mette Vestergaard 4, Janne Kolling 4, Kristine Andersen 4, Lotte Kiærskou 2 (1), Karen Brødsgaard 1.

Goals for Norway: Else-Marthe Sørlie 5, Kjersti Grini 5, Kristine Duvholt 3, Ann-Cathrin Eriksen 3, MIA Hundvin 2, Tonje Larsen 1, Susann Goksør 1, Trine Haltvik 1.

Most of the credits for this victory must go to our frenetic goalie Lene Rantala, who managed to scare the sh.. out of our old rivals (she is the one who on a daily basis plays for the Norwegian team Larvik) with saving 54% of the attempts. Also Camilla Andersen proved her rising stardom, even if the Norwegians covered her one to one in the second half. This made the Danish team momentarily confused, enough to let the Norwegians get as close as 19 -18. But we soon gained the previous lead and thus won the deserved victory.

Hungary won the silver medal with a 26-22 victory over South-Korea.

Semifinals: Denmark - South-Korea: 27-20 (15 -10)
Janne Kolling, Christina Roslyng, Mette Vestergaard all 4 goals

Denmark - Hungary: 26-23 (15-10) Camilla 9 goals

Denmark - Australia: 37 - 14

Denmark - Norway: 28 -26 (14-14) Camilla 11 goals.

Anja Andersen stops her professional handball career due to heart disease

Now it is final. The world's best female handball player will no longer be able to play handball on a professional basis. Test results showed, that her previous dizzy spells is due to problems with her heart rhythm and too high a pulse and that she is not supposed to strain it anymore. The 30 year old player made this announcement at Bækkelaget, the Norwegian team where she has played for the last 7 years. Her coach Frode Kyvåg is so fond of her, that no one will ever be allowed to wear her number 11 again as long as they both live. "Often the coach will tell how much he has taught the players. But in Anja's case, it is easier for me to tell of all the things she has taught me," he said, deeply touched. Instead she will be Frode Kyvåg's assistant trainer. She also has a dream about being the coach for the national women's team of Denmark. After 10 years abroad, she longs to go back home.

Read also:
Anja Andersen calls it quits

Anja Andersen's career:

Age: 30 (15/2 1969)
Matches played for the Danish national team: 133
Goals: 725
Teams:
IF Stjernen, IF Jarl, Ikast, Aalborg KFUM, Arden, Viborg, TuS Walle Bremen, Bækkelaget

Debut on the national team: 25/10 1989. Medals won with the Danish national team:
Silver at youth WC 1987, silver WC 1993, Gold EC 1994, bronze WC 1995, gold at the Olympic Games 1996, gold EC 1996 and WC 1997

Championships with club teams:
Norwegian Championship with Bækkelaget 1992, German Championship with TuS Walle Bremen 1994, 95 and 96, Norwegian Championship with Bækkelaget 1999

European Cup Championships:
With German Walle Bremen 1994, with Bækkelaget 1998 and 1999


Named as the world's best female handball player 1997/98 by the International Handball Federation/World Handball Magazine.

Anja's participation in the WC questionable

Anja Andersen is suffering from a low pulse and dizziness. The results of her tests will not be ready for the 18. August, where the team will be announced. Furthermore, she has not been part of the training preparations all summer but granted special privileges, as she is so vital for the team.

Therefore, the faint hopes we had for her return and one-woman-conquest of our World Championship may seem to have vanished again, just as we thought she would return and "do her stuff" - winning every match on behalf of the entire team - as she has done so many times before.

New handball baby

Former trainer Ulrik Wilbek and national team goal keeper Susanne Munk Lauritsen have extended their family. We welcome the newborn baby boy called Rasmus, born into the handball world this summer. We hope to see mum back on the court soon.