Video Famous Handball Coach beat cancer twice and now suddenly crashed during the finals
The earthquake scenes marked the final match of the Norwegian Handball Championship. Christian Berge (51), Kolstada coach, suddenly crashed during the second half a duel against Elverumleaving fans and players in complete shock. Despite the dramatic circumstances and great concern for the health of the strategist, the Kolstada team managed to get our strength and eventually celebrate 31-28, winning the title.
When Elverum led the 22-21 in the 43rd minute and the players returned to the bench during the interruption, the former coach of the Norwegian national team and the key figure of Kolstad’s success bowed and collapsed. The game was interrupted immediately, and the hall, a complete silence prevailed. The views of all those present were directed toward the Kolstada bench, where medical staff quickly came to their aid.
The players and members of the professional staff reacted quickly, and soon surrounded him with towels to obscure the view of what was clearly an emergency medical intervention. The concern on the faces of the players of both teams, as well as the fans in the stands, was more than obvious. After a few minutes, Berga is located in a wheelchair with the help of a medical team.
You can watch the video HERE.
When taken out of the hall, it was conscious, which caused a wave of relief and spontaneous applause from support from the stands. According to Norwegian TV 2 reports, Berge immediately transported to the hospital for further tests and determining the causes of sudden collapse. Although the cause of fainting has not yet been officially published, it has been confirmed that he is a coach under medical care.
« His health is most important now, » the club said, adding that the public would be informed of the further development of the situation as soon as more information is available.
He received numerous messages of support from clubs, players and fans around the world despite the shocking event and the fact that they were left without their coach at the key moments of the final battle, the Kolstada players showed incredible mental strength and character. The match, after the break and consultation, continued. Visibly shaken, but also further motivated to dedicate their victory to their coach, they decided to play. They managed to reverse the result and eventually beat the big rival.
Christian Berge is appreciated in the hand of handball, and in the past he has twice bravely faced cancer and came out both times as a winner. While he was in Flensburg, in 2004 he was diagnosed with lymph nod cancer. It happened in October that he would be on the ground three months later (!). Unfortunately, it didn’t take a long time. Two months later the disease returned. This time the hair is gone, but not the ghost.
– I was scared when the disease appeared again. I thought it was almost playing handball. But I was able to overcome that fear. I don’t even remember how many times I went to radiation.
He won the second time. He returned to the field again at which he concluded his representative career against – Croatia in 2006. Two years later, he published the book ‘In the Eat of Fight’ about his struggle with the disease.
– I don’t think about illness anymore. I get up, do what I have and spend my free time with my family.
