Handball talent Nina Kupang, 20, has suffered blood clots in her lungs and her career is in jeopardy.
Half-sister Stena Blacksteinius was impressed by how she handled the uncertain situation.
Unbelievably professional and mature despite all the fear that could possibly be out there, says the current European soccer star.
In January, Nina Kupang of Sävehof developed blood clots in both lungs, which in turn affected the heart. Since then, she’s been taking blood-thinning medications that prevent new clots from forming, but also make her bleed very easily.
The heart recovered and the blood clots disappeared – and in March she had to start training again, but without direct physical contact.
But Kupang, who made his national team debut a year ago, is still on medicine and doesn’t yet know if his career can continue.
‘Too many phone calls’
Tell Koppang about the support from the half-sister Stena Blackstein.
– We talked a lot on the phone, and I watch every game you play for Arsenal, Kupang recently told TT.
Blacksteinius is one of the stars of the Swedish band EC, who gather at the stadium on Monday. I have been impressed by the way her younger sister of six years is handling the situation.
There were many phone calls if she felt she needed to talk about it, but there was also a lot of daily talking. I think she’s been incredibly strong during all these months, which is impressive considering her age and what she’s been through, says Blacksteinius.
1 of 2Photo: Jonas Ekströmer / TT
Stina Blackstenius says that from her living room window, Koppang sees her workplace: Partille Arena.
It can be a hard reminder to wake up and see that the team is there and it’s usually where you work, but you can’t go there the same way, says Blacksteinius.
“Professional and Mature”
TT: How do you think you would have handled such a situation at this age?
I, who may be a little anxious, spontaneously feel that I might perhaps be a person to think and wander a little if I were in her position, says Blacksteinius.
She completes:
I think she handled it in an incredibly professional and mature way despite all the fear there might be. Uncertainty also, not knowing what’s really going on, how the body will respond and whether it will come back to handball. It was uncomfortable as well.