In the summer of 2023, Danish handball rising star Thomas Sommer Arnoldsen moved from Skanderborg-Aarhus to Aalborg Handbold, joining top players like Mikkel Hansen and Niklas Landin. However, the 22-year-old center back faced burnout after several tough seasons. Aalborg placed him in an overload management program, and after more than four months, he returned to the court with renewed energy.
Arnoldsen’s return was remarkable. He played a key role in Aalborg Handbold’s journey to the EHF Champions League Men’s final, where they ultimately lost to Barcelona. His performance also caught the attention of Denmark’s national team coach, Nikolaj Jacobsen.
Arnoldsen expressed his joy at being back and competing at the Olympics. Just two years prior, he was an All-Star center back at the M20 EHF EURO 2022, playing at the junior level. Now, he’s making his debut at a major international competition at Paris 2024, following in the footsteps of Mathias Gidsel, who excelled at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.
Arnoldsen was surprised to be selected for the national team, especially since he hadn’t played in the first half of the season. Despite having only seven matches and 21 goals for Denmark before the Olympics, Jacobsen placed strong trust in him, as he did with Gidsel and Simon Pytlick in the past.
Denmark is known for nurturing young talent in high-pressure situations, and players like Arnoldsen have risen to the occasion, even making it difficult for veterans like Mikkel Hansen to secure starting roles. Hansen began the opening match against France but was substituted in the first half, while Arnoldsen started in Denmark’s second victory against Egypt.
Arnoldsen attributes his success to his mindset of simply playing handball and the support from his exceptional teammates. This approach has paid off, with Denmark scoring 67 goals in their first two matches, 71% of which were contributed by Arnoldsen, Gidsel, and Pytlick.
Denmark’s teamwork and fluid attack have been outstanding, and despite his youth, Arnoldsen seems like a seasoned part of the team. He highlights that playing alongside great teammates like Gidsel and Hansen has made the game easier for him.
With Arnoldsen, Gidsel, and Pytlick leading the backline, Denmark is set for continued success, not only at the Paris 2024 Olympics but also in future competitions, including their pursuit of a fourth consecutive IHF Men’s World Championship title.
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