To win everything

Only 20-years-old, but with a hugely responsible job: no problem for Aron Palmarsson. The Icelandic international is starting to fill the footsteps of Kiel legend Stefan Lövgren, even though the young playmaker doesn’t wish to be compared to the Swedish star.

Since 2009, Palmarsson has played for THW, becoming German Champion and also raising the trophy of the EHF FINAL4 at the end of May 2010 in Cologne, Germany.

Since then, THW have suffered several injury problems in the back-court area, and Palmarsson has had more and more time to show his strength. "I like to be the chief," says one of the most talented players in his age group before the VELUX EHF Champions League "clash of the titans" in Barcelona.

ehfCL.com: The previous playmaker at Kiel was Stefan Lövgren – do you already feel like his successor?

Aron Palmarsson: No! Stefan Lövgren is a handball legend in Kiel. I’m currently far away from his abilities, as he was the best playmaker in the world. I still have to develop and I want to be Aron Palmarsson, not a copy of Lövgren!

ehfCL.com: Despite your young age you have an important job in the team of the reigning champion of the VELUX EHF Champions League. Do you like to take responsibility?

Aron Palmarsson: Yes, I really like to take responsibility and I like to have the role I play at Kiel. It’s my job to have everything under control – and I like it.

ehfCL.com: Is it also your role to be the "extended arm" of coach Alfred Gislasson on the field?

Aron Palmarsson: I’m the playmaker. I prepare and organize the attacks – and of course I do what Alfred says to me. I get a lot of advice from Alfred on how to play, and what to do next, but sometimes I have to make decisions on my own.

ehfCL.com: How does it feel to be the ‘chief' of players like Filip Jicha or Jérôme Fernandez?

Aron Palmarsson: If you call the playmaker a chief, it’s ok. But on the field I don’t think so much about my role and who is standing and playing next to me. It’s the job of Jicha or Fernandez to shoot 10 to 15 times at the goal, and I have to bring them into the best positions. This is my role, no matter who is next to me.

ehfCL.com: But that aside, opposition defences should be aware of your hidden shots…

Aron Palmarsson: If I get the chance to shoot, I shoot. Sometimes it is the better decision, if the players next to me are covered one on one, or there is enough space to throw. So I also like to score, even though my job is a little different from only scoring.

ehfCL.com: In the last match of the VELUX EHF Champions League THW Kiel tied in the last minute at Rhein-Neckar Löwen. Was it a lucky point?

Aron Palmarsson: Maybe it was lucky, but in the end it was a really important point. It felt good that we didn’t lose the match, since the Löwen had been dominant for most of the time, and again, we suffered two severe injuries (Ahlm and Sprenger). I think all spectators enjoyed the match, as it was full of fight and tension.

ehfCL.com: Kiel are currently on top of the ranking before the "classic match" at Palau Blaugrana in Barcelona. Is it your first international objective to remain on top?

Aron Palmarsson: Of course, yes, as this would give us a brilliant base for the upcoming knock-out stages. But we have to be aware of our opponents: Barcelona will be a really tough opponent and afterwards we meet Celje, Chambery and Kielce, three more top international teams. So we really have to fight to remain on top.

ehfCL.com: You arrived at Kiel at the age of 18, and then you became the "Best Rookie of the Bundesliga". Do you still believe that it was the right decision to go to THW so early?

Aron Palmarsson: THW are one of the best clubs in the world. We have a great team with great characters and I’m really looking forward to developing in Kiel.

ehfCL.com: How many titles are you going to win with Kiel this season?

Aron Palmarsson (laughing): All titles! I especially hope to reach the VELUX EHF FINAL4 in Cologne again. It was an incredible feeling to stand on the court in front of 20,000 spectators. So I want to win the VELUX EHF Champions League title again. And the German Bundesliga, and the German Cup…. all!

The VELUX EHF Men's Champions League Group A game F.C. Barcelona Borges (ESP) VS. THW Kiel (GER)  on Sunday 5 December 2010 at 17:15 hrs (local time) is our „Match of the Week" and will be broadcast live on our free-of-charge web stream on ehfTV.com, including English commentary by Tom O'Brannagain.