Nærbø G20 is a collaboration between Nærbø and Bryne, and a team that only competes in the junior national championship.
On Wednesday evening, the boys played the quarterfinals in the aforementioned championship. The team consisted of eight Nærbø players and six Bryne players.
Opponents Fjellhammer fielded a formidable team. Nine of the players in the quarterfinals were involved in defeating ØIF Arendal in the elite series a week ago. Together, five of them scored 31 goals in the 38-35 victory.
Read also
Nærbø/Bryne showed that collaboration is wise
Even first half
Nærbø led by one goal a couple of times at the start, before Fjellhammer went up to 7-4. Nærbø responded to tie the game at 7-7 after ten minutes had passed. Then it was the home team’s turn to score three in a row, leading to 10-7. Halfway through the half, it was 12-9.
The guests from Jæren kept pushing forward, reducing to 12-11, before the hosts pulled away again to 15-11 ten minutes before halftime. Nærbø made a strong comeback. After four consecutive goals, the score was tied at 16-16 with six minutes left in the half.
After this, the teams scored alternating goals until the home team got the last two of the half. It was 22-20 at halftime. High-scoring!
Right winger Teo Jørgensen Anzjøn was Nærbø’s top scorer in the first half with five goals. Linus Nord-Varhaug and Eirik Gausland Aunet scored three each.
Exciting to the end
August Svensson, who scored 11 goals against ØIF Arendal in the elite series in the previously mentioned game a week ago, made it 25-22 a little over four minutes into the second half. It was the Swede’s first goal in the match, showing that the home team had more options to play with.
After this, the teams scored alternating goals. Ten minutes into the half, the scoreboard read 30-27. Then Fjellhammer broke the alternating principle, leading for the first time in the match by four goals. Teo Jørgensen Anzjøn quickly responded with two goals, bringing the score to 31-29.
Fjellhammer called a timeout after 16 minutes, leading 33-31. The plan was likely to shake off the troublesome Jæren team once and for all. This was more easily said than done, as Nærbø was only one goal behind shortly after, tied at 34-33 and then 35-34. Nearly 12 minutes were still left to play.
The home team got the next two goals, leading to 37-34, but Teo Jørgensen Anzjøn replied with his eighth goal of the night, before Eirik Gausland Aunet made it 37-36 with his fifth goal. Seven minutes left in the thrilling quarterfinal.
When Nærbø received their second penalty at 38-36, things looked grim. The match was entering its final five minutes.
New hope ignited when Vetle Mellemstrand scored his seventh goal of the night, making it 38-37. That same player was not shy and equalized to 38-38 with two minutes left to play.
Nærbø called a timeout at 39-38. One minute remaining. No more goals were scored, and the disappointment was understandably great for the losing team.
Read also
Thorir is one of several profiles in a historic investment in Jæren
Getting more opportunities
– The refereeing was very decisive towards the end of the match, but we surely made more mistakes than the referees. We had an amazing game and were very close to causing an upset. A disappointing result, but a great journey, summarizes coach Tore Helgesen, adding:
– There were probably very few others besides ourselves who had a bit of faith that we could beat Fjellhammer. Henning Lea Knutsen, who plays for Fjellhammer, was in the game, and he said that all those players train or play for the elite team. They were quite surprised by the resistance they encountered.
Nærbø was missing Bo Kristian Kverme and Jesper Røisland from the first team in Wednesday’s quarterfinal. The former is injured, while Røisland is too important on the elite series team to take any risks with him.
The young Nærbø team consisted of only one last-year junior; the 2004 model Alvar Haugseng. One 2005 model: Eskil Aksnes. Four 2006 models: Ben Thomas Kverme, Sebastian Ueland, Eirik Gausland Aunet, and Teo Jørgensen Anzjøn. Eight 2007 models: Lukas Ueland, Jonas Espedal Boge, Sander Håland, Nikolai Nordås Steinsland, Jonas Søyland Andersen, Martin Øgaard Helgesen, Linus Nord-Varhaug, and Vetle Mellemstrand Bore.
There are many who can be part of the G20 national championship in the coming seasons.
Interview: Exploring the Future of Young Talent in Norwegian Handball
Setting: A virtual meeting room where Time.news Editor, Sarah Jenkins, is about to interview handball expert and analyst, Erik Solberg, about the recent quarterfinal match of the junior national championship between Nærbø G20 and Fjellhammer.
Sarah Jenkins: Welcome, Erik! It’s wonderful to have you here today to discuss such an exciting match. The Nærbø G20 team, consisting of players from both Nærbø and Bryne, certainly put on an impressive performance against Fjellhammer. What were your initial thoughts watching the match unfold?
Erik Solberg: Thank you, Sarah! It was a thrilling match to watch. Nærbø G20 showed remarkable resilience, especially considering they were facing a team with such elite experience like Fjellhammer. The way they took the lead multiple times in the first half was particularly impressive. Their teamwork really shone through.
Sarah Jenkins: Absolutely! I was intrigued by how closely the score remained, particularly in that high-scoring first half. Both teams seemed to respond well to each other’s plays. What do you think were the key strategies employed by Nærbø to keep up with Fjellhammer?
Erik Solberg: Nærbø’s strategy was really about adapting and reacting to the situation on the court. They began aggressively, establishing early leads, which helped boost their confidence. Their ability to tie the game after being down exhibits their mental strength. Also, pivotal players like Teo Jørgensen Anzjøn stepped up, and scoring five goals in the first half really kept their momentum alive.
Sarah Jenkins: Speaking of individual players, it sounds like Teo was critical throughout the match. Can you elaborate on his impact?
Erik Solberg: Certainly! Teo Jørgensen Anzjøn was a standout. Not only was he able to score pivotal goals, like those that kept the match competitive late in the game, but his overall presence seemed to energize the team. He understood when to push forward and when to play it safe, making him a valuable asset on the court.
Sarah Jenkins: As the match progressed, the tension increased, especially towards the end when Nærbø made a remarkable comeback to 38-38. What do you think contributed to their ability to fight back?
Erik Solberg: It really came down to tenacity and tactical play. Coach Tore Helgesen deserves credit for keeping the team focused and motivated. Even after trailing in the last five minutes, they maintained their composure and capitalized on opportunities. Players like Vetle Mellemstrand, who scored two crucial late goals, demonstrate that belief in their capability to turn the game around was palpable.
Sarah Jenkins: Coach Helgesen remarked on the referee’s role at the end of the match. Given how fine the margins were, to what extent do you think officiating affects the outcomes in such tightly contested games?
Erik Solberg: Officiating can absolutely influence the tempo and flow, especially in high-stakes matches like this one. While Nærbø may have had some grievances, Helgesen acknowledged their own mistakes too. At this level, it often comes down to execution and discipline. They were strong contenders, but small mistakes can be costly against a savvy team like Fjellhammer.
Sarah Jenkins: Helgesen mentioned that few believed Nærbø could pull off an upset. How important do you think morale and belief in the team can be, especially for young players in a championship setting?
Erik Solberg: Morale is everything! For young athletes, confidence plays a key role. Building belief within the team can be the difference between a good performance and an exceptional one. Even though they were ultimately disappointed, pushing a seasoned team to the limits shows tremendous potential. They should take pride in their journey and learn from this experience as they grow.
Sarah Jenkins: Erik, what does this match say about the potential for collaboration between clubs like Nærbø and Bryne? It seems to be a promising direction for developing young talent.
Erik Solberg: It certainly is! Collaborations such as Nærbø G20 not only pool talent from both clubs but also foster a stronger community in handball. By working together, local clubs can offer more robust training, and experience for players. These partnerships could be the key to fostering more competitive teams and nurturing the next generation of players for Norwegian handball.
Sarah Jenkins: Thank you, Erik, for sharing your insights today! It’s been enlightening, and I look forward to seeing how Nærbø G20 progresses in their future matches!
Erik Solberg: Thank you for having me, Sarah! I’m excited to watch their journey unfold as well.