Three weeks before the start of the women’s handball competition at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, Norway received a huge blow during a friendly match against France, when the 2023 IHF Female World Player of the Year, Henny Reistad, injured her ankle.

Of course, Norway, the reigning European champions, have huge depth in their squad, but missing Reistad is a big blow, as the profile of the left back is different from what the Scandinavian side can bring to table.

And her absence could clearly be seen in the loss against Sweden, 28:32, an uncharacteristic start for a team like Norway, which led by three goals in the second half, only to concede the points and complicate the matters even further in an already well-balanced competition.

Next, Norway managed without Reistad, in a 27:18 win against Denmark and everything was back on track. And when the Scandinavian side faced the Republic of Korea, Reistad had already been introduced in the roster, replacing Thale Rushfeldt Deila, who featured in the first two matches.

“Actually, we never knew when I was going to come back. So I actually feel like coming back in this game was a big achievement for me and for the staff as well. So I'm really happy about that,” said Reistad.

But being on the stands was a challenge in itself for the left back who is making her second appearance at the Olympic Games, after having already clinched the bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, when she was only 22 years old.

"It was really tough. It's definitely tougher to watch the game when the team is struggling than it was in the second game, so I'm really happy that I can play now and help the team," says Reistad.

The upside for Norway is that Reistad is well-rested, as she did not train or play for the last three weeks, therefore making the run-in for the business end of the competition perfect for the left back to start shining. 

Until that moment comes, Reistad looked a bit rusty in the opener against the Republic of Korea, scoring four shots of the nine shots she had, while being carefully managed by coach Thorir Hergeirsson, spending 29 minutes and 11 minutes on the court.

"I feel fine. Since I haven't played for a bit more than three weeks, it's not as normal as it was before but I feel really good, so I'm really happy. I feel really good. It's amazing to make the debut and getting into the play again. I'm pretty satisfied. Of course, I should maybe have scored a few more goals considering how many shots I took but I'm happy with my debut," adds Reistad.

That forced break also enabled Reistad to enjoy a bit of the Olympics spirit, with her and several teammates visiting the Eiffel Tower Stadium during their free time to watch the beach volleyball competition.

"We were there, and the atmosphere was amazing. And I was in the stands at our matches, here, when I could not play. You feel, in another way, how big the Olympics actually are,” says the left back.

With two wins in three matches and with big chances for a place in the quarter-finals, and even for the first place in the group, Norway are looking better and better, as one of the best back lines in the world – with Reistad, Nora Mørk and Stine Bredal Oftedal is back at 100%.

"I feel like we are starting to get into a nice flow and to play out our potential, especially in the defence. In the attack, we need to use some more time to find the rhythm between everyone but I think that today was a big step (forward)," concludes Reistad.