Swedish national team star Nina Koppang and Danish powerhouse Team Esbjerg have mutually agreed to terminate their contract effective June 30. The 23-year-old right back formally leaves the club one year ahead of her original contract expiration, which was signed in early 2025.
It has been a challenging period for the highly rated Swedish international. Nina Koppang has not appeared on court for Team Esbjerg since going on sick leave in January. The following month, she transparently shared on Instagram that she “needed to take care of her mental health,” stepping back from the intense pressure of professional handball.
Tomas Axnér: “Immense respect for her prioritizing her well-being”
Tomas Axnér, who coaches Koppang both at Team Esbjerg and on the Swedish national team, expressed deep respect for her decision to step back and focus on recovery.
– Nina Koppang is a player we saw a long-term perspective in, as she is still only 23 years old and possesses quality we were looking forward to seeing. It has been difficult for her to hit the pause button, and I have immense respect for the fact that she has listened to her mind and body to regain the joy of playing handball and find a path forward. This was undoubtedly the right choice for her, says Tomas Axnér to Team Esbjergs website.
Photo: Jon Olav Nesvold / BILDBYRÅN
Axnér also highly praised the management of Team Esbjerg for being a supportive and empathetic employer, keeping the player’s health and well-being as the top priority throughout the entire process.
He expressed a strong hope to see Koppang back on the European handball stage once she has overcome the mental health struggles that led to her departure.
Grateful farewell
Despite her tenure in Denmark not unfolding as initially envisioned, Koppang leaves the club on good terms, offering high praise for her teammates, staff, and the organization.
– I want to say thank you for my time at the club. I am grateful for all the people I have met, and that the club welcomed me with warmth and love last year when I arrived in Esbjerg. The decision to leave has not been easy, but I realize it is the right step for me. I will miss everyone at Team Esbjerg and will be cheering you on in the future, Nina Koppang stated.
Photo: Emma Wallskog / BILDBYRÅN
Koppang’s journey with Team Esbjerg was complicated from the start. Arriving in early 2025 after the financial collapse of Norwegian powerhouse Vipers Kristiansand, her integration was initially slowed down by a meniscus injury. Upon her return to fitness, she faced fierce competition for playing time at the right back position against world-class stars Nora Mørk and Helene Kindberg.
Prior to her stints in Norway and Denmark, Koppang spent six successful seasons with Swedish top-tier club IK Sävehof. She has already earned 50 caps for the Swedish national team, with her most recent major tournament appearance being the World Championship at the end of 2025.