Aalborg-playmaker in desperate race to reach full fitness for European Championships

Thomas Arnoldsen is in a desperate race to get fit for the EURO
Thomas Arnoldsen is in a desperate race to get fit for the EUROČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Gonzales Photo/Mads Andersen

After suffering a fracture on his left shinbone a month ago, Aalborg profile Thomas Arnoldsen has entered a race to reach full fitness for the European Handball Championships set to start on 15 January.

When Nikolaj Jacobsen, at the beginning of December, announced his squad for the final tournament, the Danish national team coach kept a spot open for Thomas Arnoldsen

The 23-year-old playmaker was one of the 35 players who can come into play for the final round, if injuries arise or replacements have to be made in the 19-man squad along the way.

According to dr.dk, Arnoldsen's recovery is proceeding according to plan as the Aalborg player no longer feels pain in his shinbone.

"It's going really well. I threw away the crutches a few days ago, and I'm starting to be able to cycle a little and can do more and more", says Arnoldsen.

The playmaker is due for a scan between Christmas and New Year to find out if the shin is healing properly. If everything looks promising, he is allowed to slowly begin training again. Arnoldsen is hesitant whether he will be able to get fully fit for the EURO. 

"Right now, my focus is that I do everything to be as fit as possible, and I guess that will also make the chances of a comeback greater. I will train as if the opportunity arises, I'll be ready."

The Europan Championships will be co-hosted by Denmark, Norway and Sweden from 15 January to 1 February 2026, marking the second time the event is held in three countries, after 2020. The final will be held in Herning, Denmark.