Kristian Kjelling, Handball | Kristian Kjelling became a coach, then came the surprise:

In early 2016, Drammen HK was able to introduce Kristian Kjelling as the club’s new game coach.

Now, four years after he had to put his playing career on the shelf due to a knee injury, the handball profile has found a new passion in the coaching profession.

He himself did not think that the role of coach would create the same feeling as standing on the handball court with a ball in hand.

– Since I am driven by competition, I did not think I would feel so much commitment from others. That it should have the same sense of competition on the sidelines that on the field has surprised me enormously, Kjelling tells Nettavisen.

It’s not just the coaching work of Drammen’s handball masters that comes with commitment.

– I also did not think that I would feel the same feeling when it comes to my children. Both my son and daughter play handball, and I feel the same competitive instinct when I’m on the sidelines there.

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Five New Years at Drammen

The former national team player has signed five new years as coach at Drammen HK before this season.

– Of course it is a long time to commit, but with two children it was not realistic to go abroad, says Kjelling.

He says that life as a coach is quite different from life as a player.

Kjelling points out that there is more work, more concerns and a great responsibility for both the culture of the game and the performance.

– As a gamer, I often felt a bit immortal. I was young and probably mainly focused on myself. As a coach, I have a great responsibility to make the team work. The concerns often lie in the fact that it doesn’t help to be a good professional handball coach if the team doesn’t perform, says Kjelling.

Having been a coach for almost four seasons, he has a clear desire for how his own players no should behave.

– The worst thing I hear is when players blame others or yell at each other.

Kjelling points to the team’s last game against Elverum as an example that a bite is often not what is worth it.

– When we start with six technical errors in the first six minutes, I think it’s nervousness that takes over. I don’t think yelling is the solution, but rather putting the guys on the correct ignition pattern, he says.

Prior to his last season as a player at Drammen HK in 2016, Kjelling had a long career as a professional player since his elite series debut on Vestli in 1997.

– Most regret this

The former left-back became one of the youngest Norwegian players to sign a professional contract in Europe in 2001, with Spain’s Ademar León.

Although Kjelling may look back on a career with national team matches, professional contracts and selection for the world team in 2005, there is one decision in particular that he regrets:

– If there is anything you can remember today, I am sorry to have said no to the offer I received from Barcelona in 2006, says Kjelling.

Kjelling, then 26, chose to go to Spanish Portland San Antonio.

– When I see how Barcelona has become the club it is today, it is clear that this is what I regret the most in my career.

The nearly 20-year career with elite series and professional games has left its mark on the 40-year-old’s body.

– The knee is not well, says that it gave up easily.

The knee injury has made training opportunities limited for the man who has spent his entire life in the best sports.

– I can’t run anything in particular, fortunately I still manage to lift weights. Otherwise there are some minor aches and pains too, but I cope very well.

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Uncertainty around the World Cup

Kjelling is not only a respected coach and former player, but in recent years he has also become one of Norway’s best handball commentators.

In January, the World Cup for handball teachers will take place in Egypt.

Kjelling himself says that he will participate as an expert commentator during the championship, but is not sure if he will be physically present in Egypt.

– The spread of the infection that we see in Europe with several games postponed means that we do not know if we can go down yet, says Kjelling.

He commented on his first championship at the 2016 European Championship, and was praised for his ability to be calm and able to broadcast the game to Norwegian spectators.

– Many of those who watch handball championships or matches are not handball experts, so my job is to transmit the sport in its simplicity.

He also boasts of his side commentator Daniel Høglund, noting the different roles the two play when they comment:

– He is probably the main responsible for the entertainment, while I am responsible for explaining what is happening in the field.

Although Kjelling thrives in the role of commentator, he is confident in his case about future plans:

– I can’t use my competitive instinct when I comment. Though I’m thriving right now, commenting isn’t something I want to do for the rest of my life, says Kjelling.