Iceland’s Aron Palmarsson (left) tries to get past France’s Luka Karabatic during their match on Tuesday. PICTURE: Shemeer Rasheed


If life depends on timing, then Aron Palmarsson may feel that it owes him a recompense. Looking back, he became the youngest player in the All-Star team at the 2012 London Olympic Games and the only player that had won the EHF Champions League title twice at the age of only 22.
Back in late 2008 the Icelandic centre back got a first call to play for the senior national team – very big for an 18-year-old player – but it was a little late for him.
Three months before that he was proud and jealous at the same time having watched ‘Strakanir Okkar’ win silver at the Beijing Olympic Games on television. But he was quite sure that new opportunities would reach him. Or that he would reach them…

You didn’t play at the 2008 Olympics, but you won the bronze medal at the 2010 European Championships and the horizon for more success is still open…
Aron Palmarsson: You can’t have all in your life. I was very young in 2008, but I saw my dream come true in Austria after two years. And to be honest, I am very lucky because I had the chance to play with the legendary Olafur Stefansson for two years, who served as my role model.

Why did you choose to play handball?
AP: Because this is the sport of my country! I started playing handball at age nine and got stuck with it. Handball is our signature sport and a reason of pride in Iceland. I cannot explain the historical reasons of this, probably because of our success on international stage. For a nation of not more than 320,000 inhabitants, it is a miracle to have won medals at Olympic Games and European Championship, and to be among the participating nations in almost every major tournament.
Do you believe that young kids are eager to follow your footsteps?
AP: Sure, I see many of them choosing to play handball. They have been influenced by the recent success of the national team and they are impressed by the recognition of our players and coaches. There are too many Icelanders who have a brilliant career outside the country and since they became famous they are offering a good example and an extra motivation to the youngsters.

Can you name the three basic principles that a good handball player should have?
AP: I would say good understanding of the game, speed and unselfishness.

Will Iceland be able to leave Doha with their very first World Championship medal?
AP: Why not? We have a solid team with quality players and we will fight to get what we deserve. Iceland are still missing a medal in this competition and it is something we owe to the old generation, to ourselves and to the whole country, which stands behind us.

Do you feel pressure to win the missing medal?
AP: There is neither a team nor any individual player who takes part in a major competition and doesn’t feel a kind of pressure. We all put pressure on ourselves to give the best we can in order to reach our goals. Whoever can deal with this, gets the first victory and looks forward.

Who are the potential medal contenders in Qatar 2015?
AP: I would pick France, Spain, Denmark and Croatia as favourites, but it is too early and risky to make predictions.