Boden Handboll IF is making a major investment for the upcoming season in the Handball League with five new signings. Two that stand out are Isabelle Andersson and Sofie Börjesson, who are moving north after playing in European top leagues and for the Swedish national team.
Isabelle and Sofie moved to Boden at the end of July, and it’s easy to think that the move is only about handball. But for both, it’s about something bigger.
“I’ve lived the professional life in Germany, but there it’s only about handball. What attracted me here was the opportunity to have a more complete everyday life. I’ve got a job at A Metodik in Luleå, been able to bring my two horses all the way from Nynäshamn, found a home close to nature in Råbäcken, and at the same time I can focus on handball at the highest level,” says Isabelle.
The paths to Boden may look different for Isabelle and Sofie, but the goal is the same.
“There’s something special here. It feels like the club really cares about how you feel as a person, not just how you perform,” says Sofie.
She says it with a kind of relief in her voice. After winning the Champions League with Norwegian Vipers Kristiansand, a season in the Danish top league, and playing for the national team, she has seen many of the tough sides of elite sports. Now she’s looking for something more sustainable.
“Handball has always been important. But maybe a bit too important sometimes. I think if you feel good, you play well too.”
“WE WANT TO PUT BODEN ON THE MAP”
Sofie drove up from her hometown Uddevalla, a journey that took 14.5 hours.
“When I got to Sundsvall, I thought: “Now I’m in Norrbotten.” But I quickly realized there was still a long way to go. Yet it doesn’t feel so remote. There are flights and everyone here is so nice. It already feels like home.”
“The people of Boden have been incredibly welcoming,” Isabelle adds. “You immediately feel that you want to give something back to all these people. We want to put Boden on the map.”
Sofie also praises the warm reception.
“I was standing at ICA when an older gentleman started talking to me. He recognized me from handball and just wanted to hear how I was doing. It warmed my heart.”
THE SEASON STARTS SOON
On August 20th, it’s time for the season’s first match in Bodens Energi Arena. At 4:30 PM, the referee will start the match against VästeråsIrsta HF in the Swedish Cup. Isabelle and Sofie are looking forward to getting started.
“The feeling is that we can actually do something really big this year. We hope that many Boden residents will come to the arena to support us,” says Sofie.
“Yes, it will be fun to play again,” says Isabelle. “It really feels like this is exactly where I want to be right now.”
But it’s not just the handball season that’s approaching. Winter is coming with our unique cold, snow, and short days. Both say the same thing:
“We’re looking forward to it. It will be fun to see how we handle it!”
TEXT: KALIA KLOMP
