– She is complete, completely unique

HERNING / OSLO (VG) The final of the European Championship was for Nora Mørk (29) as it was for Norway: A roller coaster. Like later emotions. They drove in all directions.

But for Norway’s offensive genius and Eurocup top scorer, compensation was a given. In the 1,099 days from the final World Cup defeat for France in December 2017 to the final victory on Sunday, he has experienced more than most handball players.

No championship. But new knee injuries, four operations and a conflict with the handball association as a result of the photographic case that made it in January 2018 threatened to join the national team. As well as her mother’s cancer, which led her to move to Norway to play for the Vipers this season.

– It has the winning skull that is so popular to stand out. I really think that term is used for too many. She really is. She has a huge focus. It is completely beyond. There are many female handball players who have been injured, but I don’t think there is anyone who comes close to the stamina she has shown, former national team player Randi Gustad tells VG.

Injuries kept Mørk at bay in both 2018 and 2019. This summer’s Olympics were nothing. In Denmark, the 29-year-old from Oslo is back in full force.

– It was strong to see today. You know what he’s been through and it’s sickly impressive. You know what work effort is required to get back and up to that level, says Gustad, continuing:

– It is impossible to compare sports, but in handball it is completely unique. And in most team sports, I think.

It certainly went up and down for Nora Mørk during the final drama against France. But it is questionable whether it would have been Norwegian gold without the 90km / h surprise cannon that hit 19-19. Or the way he sneaked through defense and turned 21-20 on a pass from team captain Stine Bredal Oftedal.

– I am also very moved. She continues to impress again and again and has something very special mental. The way she comes in and trusts herself and contributes. She is “one of a kind,” Oftedal tells VG.

– She’s there when she arrives. That says a lot about a great player, Gustad thinks.

With Mørk’s brace towards the end, he had nothing to say that he missed the penalty in the last second. The gold was Norwegian.

– I was never nervous about losing the match, declares Nora Mørk to VG afterwards.

In the immediate TV interview with Viaplay profile Ole Erevik later, Norway’s top scorer let his words, feelings and tears flood after his fifth championship gold.

– It doesn’t feel real. I am sick and proud and I just want to thank everyone who has helped me along the way. It’s completely unreal, Nora Mørk exclaimed live.

She roared after the final signal. Crying. I received comfort from Camilla Herrem, a long hug from team captain Stine Bredal Oftedal and continued in the strong crossed arms of Veronica Kristiansen.

Then came the rest of the team, before a happy Dark could collect the golden ball as the top scorer of the Euro. Like in the same championship four years ago.

– He’s very sensitive. It has been a tough and steep road for me on the way back. I’ve had to dig deeper than I thought was possible and the fact that I can play handball and a European Championship final means a lot to me. This is a scenario that I have been thinking about for the past three years; to regain the throne, says Nora Mørk to the media.

– A year ago, I still had stitches in my knee, I lay on the couch and watched the games in Japan. Now I am here and I have won gold in the European Championship. I had a little hope all the time and knew that it was possible to return. It is completely unreal. It has cost a lot, but it is well worth it. I really appreciate that Thorir and the national team took care of me during the injury period, he continues, noting that he has scored more for Norway at the European Championship than for the club team in Kristiansand throughout the fall.

– It’s incredibly good to have that confidence. Many doubted the form, says Nora Mørk.