The 2024 European Championship is getting closer, and in a series of articles Ola Selby, reporter at GoHandball, picks his 5 best players at each position. Next up: The pivots.
Here are the players:
Linn Blohm, Sweden
It is easy to forget how long Linn Blohm has belonged to the best. Last season, at least during the first half, playing time was decreased in Györi. If you could se rust during the WC? Not at all. And after that, the pivot has seen more playing time for her club team and is still one of the most important players both there and in Tomas Axnér’s national team. Quite simply a player that opposing teams have a lot of focus on.
Kari Brattset Dale, Norway
Speaking of Györi – there are two great players at the Hungarian big club at the pivot position. Brattset Dale has been one of the world’s best players for about ten years now, both before and after her pregnancy. Becomes even more important in the national team now that both Stine Bredal Oftedal and Nora Mörk are missing.
Pauletta Foppa, France
A complete handball player who “should” be about 30-32 years old now. Foppa’s age? 23. That in itself is scary, that Foppa has been good for as long as she has and that she can “easily” play for at least ten more years at the highest level. As good in defense as in offense and also a leader in this French team which will now try to win gold without Olivier Krumbholz as coach.
Sarah Bouktit, France
Surely we have room for one more French player on this list? Perhaps something of an outsider here, but Sarah Bouktit has performed at the highest level in the Champions League for two consecutive seasons. Is fourth in the scoring league in the Champions League (51 goals in eight games) and also with a high efficiency in his finishes (around 70 percent). Not as good at the back as in offense, but a perfect player for France to throw in when the offense is not working.
Rikke Iversen, Denmark
Far from a place on these types of lists a few years ago, Rikke Iversen has made great strides in her development in recent years and at this summer’s Olympics few line players were better than the Team Esbjerg player. A key player for Tomas Axnér in Esbjerg and for Jesper Jensen in the Danish national team.