Pálmarsson “would have regretted saying no to Veszprém”

Anything can happen in sport. The transfer of a heroic player does not just appear in fantasy stories. Obviously, miracles can happen even in extreme cases where the probability is almost zero — and Pálmarsson's transfer to Veszprém belongs to this category.

Between 2015 and 2017, the Icelandic centre and left back was admired by the audience of the top Hungarian club, then headed to Barcelona, where he won the Champions League in 2021 with head coach Xavi Pascual. After the giant Catalan club, Aalborg in Denmark was his next stop, although he did not fulfil his contract there. After two silver medals in the Danish championship, he requested the termination of his agreement in 2023, citing personal reasons. This year, Pálmarsson returned to his home club in Iceland, FH Hafnarfjörður.

At the age of 34, Pálmarsson could afford to play handball just for fun. But the paths of fate are unfathomable.

Veszprém changed coach in the summer of 2024, appointing Pascual to replace the departing Momir Ilic. The legendary new coach insisted on strengthening the squad and Veszprém approached Pascual’s former player, Luka Cindric. Pascual still thought more quality players were needed as soon as possible: The season is long, the calendar is extremely dense and the success of the Champions League campaign cannot depend on the elimination of one key player. 

Pascual was right: Egyptian back Yehia Elderaa suffered a cruciate ligament tear in the Champions League group match against Frederica, in round 5. From that point, events accelerated, and four days after the unfortunate injury, Veszprém announced Pálmarsson’s signing. His name was already on the roster in round 6 of the Champions League, against Eurofarm Pelister. 

But how surprising was it that Veszprém suddenly pulled Pálmarsson out of the blue? The club's sports director, László Nagy, later admitted that regardless of Elderaa's injury, contact had already been established between Veszprém and Pálmarsson. The Icelander recalled the moment his agent told him his former club were interested in re-signing him. 

“It happened a couple of weeks ago, as far as I remember, in September, when my agent informed me about a possible return to Veszprém. What could I say? I was really excited. I have to mention that I received and refused offers from big European teams in the last 15 months. But the circumstances have changed a lot — I would have regretted if I had not accepted the contract from Veszprém,” says Pálmarsson. 

“My former club, Hafnarfjordur, were very supportive and accepted my possible move to Veszprem. Our agreement included a rule: If I receive an offer from a big club, they will let me leave the club. That’s how it happened.”

Pálmarsson is perfectly aware of Pascual's methods. The joint work in Barcelona left a deep mark on the Spanish coach, who likes to collaborate with his former players. That is how Cindric came into the picture at Veszprém, and Pálmarsson also went to the Hungarian team at the request of the coach. The versatile player could not help but praise Pascual.

“In addition to the former coach of THW Kiel and Iceland national team, Alfred Gíslason, Xavier Pascual is obviously the best coach in my career. I really like and appreciate his system — the way he thinks about handball. This sport is his life. He is a very committed coach. I guess nobody works harder than him. He is a winner-type person,” says Pálmarsson. 

It is also a fact that Pascual consciously builds on previously proven relationships. Pálmarsson was a teammate of current Veszprém players Cindric and Ludovic Fabregas in the Champions League 2020/21-winning Barcelona side. Pálmarsson knows Lukas Sandell well, having played with him at Aalborg. His Icelandic friend and national teammate, Bjarki Mar Elisson, is also at Veszprém. Did the fact that he not only knows the coach, but also communicates very well on court with some other key players, factor in Pálmarsson’s decision? 

“Of course, it helps knowing some players both on and off the court and I’m really excited to play with them again. The culture, arena, fans, how things are done in Veszprém and, last but not least, the coach.”

Since Pálmarsson’s departure from Veszprém in 2017, the current sport director Nagy, Patrik Ligetvári and Gasper Marguc are the only individuals who have stood for permanence at the club. A lot has changed, but the goal of the team is the same — their first Champions League title. And Pálmarsson is perfectly aware of this.

“Winning the Champions League for the first time with Veszprém is a very big challenge. I will do everything to achieve this goal. I am very grateful for the club to give me this chance to prove myself. If I had said no to Veszprém, I would have regretted it forever,” says Pálmarsson.  

The EHF Champions League final in 2016, when Veszprém lost after holding a nine-goal lead in the second half against Kielce, is still a painful memory for the club. Pálmarsson was on the court, was named MVP of the EHF FINAL4, scored six goals in the final — and was there to feel the shock of the result. 

Among the memories of his first era at Veszprém, Pálmarsson singles out the most exciting matches: 

“I have always loved the great Champions League matches in Veszprém. How moody they were. I spent six years in Kiel before moving to Veszprém, so I got used to big crowds, fantastic moments in the Champions League, but I really liked it in Veszprém, which has one of the best arenas in Europe. 

“Of course, I remember the final against Kielce. But let’s focus on this season: We have an excellent coach, good players, but sometimes even that is not enough. Winning the Champions League is a really hard task. You should be the first or the second in the group phase, then need to show a good performance in Cologne at the [EHF] FINAL4. It has always been very easy to say that we want to win the title, but without hard work, professional ethic, a clear mindset, you cannot reach the goals. And luck is also necessary for the success.” 

Pálmarsson signed his contract with Veszprém until the end of the 2025/26 season. He will be 36 years old when the current deal expires. It is an increasingly common phenomenon in handball that key international players are still active in their late thirties. 34-year-old Pálmarsson is not a fan of hasty statements. He is currently planning until the end of the 2025/26 season — but who knows what is going to happen?

“I want to play on the highest level as long as I can. I have not actually thought about the future. I am just happy to have the chance to play in Veszprém. I am focused on the team — want to help my old/new club. Everything is ahead of us. Let’s try to focus on the season.”

Photos: Aleksandar Kotevski / Sasho Ristevski, HBC Nantes, Aalborg Håndbold