Norway made the final at the 2017 and 2019 IHF Men’s World Championship, securing the silver medal each time, and doubled down on that excellent run of form by sealing the bronze medal at the EHF EURO 2020. Since then, though, the Scandinavian side failed to get their rhythm going and finished sixth at Egypt 2021 and Poland/Sweden 2023, as well as ninth at the EHF EURO 2024.

Something has been missing for Norway in these major international competitions, with the Scandinavian side also finishing on a disappointing seventh place in their return at the Olympic Games at Tokyo 2020, as Norway made their first appearance since finishing ninth at Munich 1972.

Now, Jonas Wille’s side is eager to secure their Paris 2024 Olympic Games ticket, which would mark the first time when Norway make back-to-back appearances at the Olympic Games, but the team which earned their place in the Olympic Qualification Tournament by securing the sixth place at the 2023 IHF Men’s World Championship face a daunting challenge.

The Olympic Qualification Tournament #3, due to be played in Tatabanya, Hungary, is by far the most balanced one, at least on paper, with three powerful European sides – Hungary, Norway and Portugal – and one African powerhouse, Tunisia, competing head-to-head for the two tickets to Paris 2024.

On one hand, Norway have arguably one of the best players in the world in their roster, centre back Sander Sagosen, who has 818 goals in 162 matches for the Scandinavian side, being the second-best scorer in history, only 121 goals behind Roger Kjendalen. But on the other hand, Norway have been hit-and-miss in the past years, failing to really bring a challenge to the table in a consistent way.

They still have a strong core of players, with plenty of experience, like Sagosen, captain Christian O’Sullivan, right wing Kristian Bjørnsen or goalkeeper Torbjørn Bergerud. It also helped that club team Kolstad Handball brought together seven players from the roster into its ranks and that helped boost the chemistry.

However, injuries have derailed Wille’s plans, as right back Magnus Abelvik Rød will miss the Olympic Qualification Tournament with an injury, while left back Gøran Johannessen is also doubtful, due to another injury, which would definitely leave a mark in Norway’s back line, with more pressure on Sagosen.

On the other hand, Norway have won the last four competitive matches against Hungary, but were thoroughly dominated by Portugal at the EHF EURO 2024, leaving more question marks than answers regarding their form before the start of this Olympic Qualification Tournament.

Key players: Sander Sagosen (centre back), Kristian Bjørnsen (right wing), Christian O’Sullivan (centre back)
History at the Olympic Games: 1972: 9th, 2020: 7th 
Olympic Qualification Tournament #3 (in Tatabanya, Hungary): Norway, Hungary, Portugal, Tunisia