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By:
Arsim Magjera
- December 6, 2024 20:00
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After many years of experience in the elite of Norway and the representative of Kosovo, handball player Mirela Gjikokaj decided to end her career. The 25-year-old has not played since the end of the last edition, namely from the early spring of this year.
But the circumstances created in one of the biggest clubs in Norway made Mirela return to the game of handball. So continue your career.
On Friday, Champions League club Storhamar announced that handball player Tonje Enkerud is pregnant. The 30-year-old will no longer play this edition.
And Storhamari immediately found a replacement - Mirela Gjikokajn. She has already signed, while on Sunday she joins Storhamar. On Monday, she attends the first training session with her new teammates.
Storhamar's coach, Kenneth Gabrielsen, has followed Gjikokaj for a long time. The handball player from Deçan plays in the position of left back, while coach Gabrielsen appreciates that she contributes in attack and defense.
"Mirela was on our list of options before. When Tonje gave the happy news, I contacted Mirela immediately. I think we reached an agreement in less than 24 hours. I think we have made important signings. She is a winning type of player that we are happy to have in our team. I have great faith that it will be a very good move. Of course, it's been a while since she last played, but I think it will work for a short time," Gabrielsen told Storhamar's official website.
Gjikokaj has grown and developed in the Norwegian handball system. He played for many years in the Norwegian elite league for the Follo team. Now he will be in a much bigger team.
On December 29, Storhamari plays in the final of the Norwegian Cup against Tertnes. It could be the debut match for the Kosovar. On January 2, he plays the next championship match, while on January 11, there is a match in the Champions League. So it is a team of the Champions League, the elite European competition.
Until now, Kosovo has not had female players in the Champions League. Storhamari is in Group A of the Champions League, while holding sixth place with two wins, one draw and five losses. On January 11, the new team of Gjikokaj plays against Gloria Birstria in Romania.
In the Norwegian championship, this team is second in the table. Last year, Storhamar won the Europa League, which is the second level of continental competitions for handball clubs.
The European Handball Championship is currently underway and, therefore, club competitions are on hiatus.
"It came as a shocking move. But I never had a doubt. It went from zero to 100 in no time. At first I didn't believe it. I like Storhamari, the way he plays, with rhythm and physical play", said Gjikokaj.
She said that she kept in shape, even though she took a break from handball.
"I am wise in the game. I see other players and spaces that not everyone sees. I like to play in attack and defense", added Gjikokaj.
Her return to handball and the transfer to the Champions team have also been appreciated by the Kosovo Handball Federation. The selector Agron Shabani appreciates the fact that Mirela will play in the top European team, while the general secretary of the FHK, Muhamet Arifi, appreciates that this move also serves Kosovo.
"Next week we learn the opponent of the last qualifying round for the World Cup. Mirela is an important part of our National Team. She had a bit of a concussion but is coming back strong and will play at the highest level possible. Our national team is already fully mobilized and we proved this with the victories over Belgium and Bosnia-Herzegovina. We hope to be lucky in the draw and seek qualification for the World Cup, which would be another major success", said Arifi.
Kosovo also has top players in the Danish league, which is one of the best in the world.
