Two Achilles ruptures, infections, long hospital stays and almost two years away from handball have taken their toll on Gøran Johannessen. Now the Kolstad star is finally entering a new season injury-free – but says the damage will stay with him for the rest of his life.
The last few years have been incredibly difficult for Gøran Johannessen.
The Norwegian international suffered two Achilles ruptures, followed by infections and lengthy periods in hospital. When he finally returned to the court in February after almost two years out, another setback followed just a month later when he injured his knee.
– I knew I had to prove to myself that I could complete the rehabilitation and come back at a high level. If I hadn’t managed it with my Achilles, I would probably have retired, Johannessen tells TV 2.
Now, at 32, he is finally heading into a season without an injury for the first time since 2023. But the injuries have left permanent consequences.
– My Achilles is what it is. I lose both power, speed and explosiveness because so much has been done to it. It doesn’t exactly give me a competitive advantage. I just have to train and play differently to make up for what I’ve lost. That’s the reality, and I just have to live with it now – and for the rest of my life, he says.
Johannessen, who has 109 caps for Norway, still has one major ambition: returning to the national team.
– My number one goal is to have fun, number two is to win titles in Norway, and number three is to play my way back into the national team.
And despite everything he has been through, Johannessen still believes he can reach his old level.
– I know where I am right now. I’m not a world-class player. But I hope and believe I can become one.