On Wednesday evening, Kolstad defeated Elverum with 31–28 and thereby became Norwegian champions for the third year.
But the celebration would be overshadowed by the fact that coach Christian Berge collapsed in the middle of the match with what turned out to be heart palpitations.
the coach collapsed, the hall fell silent and he received care for several minutes, while the players made sure to minimize visibility with the help of white sheets.
Berge could eventually be taken out in a wheelchair and then further to the hospital, where the match was then played on.
Handball feels bloody insignificant right now. All my thoughts go to Christian, says assistant coach Stian Gomo to TV2.
A little later, good news came regarding Berge – who has previously had heart palpitations. Then he has managed to control it, but this time he lost control over his body.
I'm tired and exhausted, but in okay form considering the circumstances, says the coach himself to TV2.
Swede Simon Jeppsson plays in Kolstad and saw what happened.
It's very uncomfortable, he says to Aftonbladet and continues:
It becomes some sort of shock and you really feel that, God, what sport and handball mean little when something like that happens.
Berge was Norwegian national team captain between 2014 and 2022. He has also made a brief stint as assistant coach in IFK Skövde.
