At the Women’s Handball World Cup, Norway was crowned world champion in a thrilling final against Germany – giving handball legend Katrine Lunde a fitting farewell to the national team.
One of the greatest handball players of all time is retiring. At the age of 45, Norway goalkeeper Katrine Lunde is ending her national team career after the World Cup in Germany and the Netherlands.
The veteran won a total of 13 gold medals in her career. No other handball player was more successful.
“Viaplay” expert Ole Erevik described Lunde as “the best goalkeeper of all time”.
Norway’s coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad sang the praises of “Nettavisen”: “She is the most successful handball player of all time and one of Norway’s greatest athletes. It’s hard to understand how great that is. If you look at her Wikipedia page, it’s surreal in many ways. She’s a monument.”
Lunde himself was very emotional after the triumph. “I’m tired. When the game is over and the medal is in your hand, you lose some of your energy again. It’s a proud moment,” she said on “Dagbladet”: “You think about all the sacrifices that people have made for you. It was a nice feeling.”
Superstar Nora Mørk emphasized on “Dagbladet” that she has not yet realized that she will play without Lunde in the future. “I think my body doesn’t quite understand yet that it’s the last time with Katrine. Maybe a few hours will pass and then I’ll cry bitterly at night,” said the 34-year-old.
Lunde leaves a career in club handball open
However, Lunde left her career in club handball open. She hasn’t had time to decide yet. She is currently under contract with Serbian first division club ŽRK Crvena Zvezda.
Lunde played an outstanding tournament at the World Cup. The 45-year-old was named best goalkeeper. In the final against Germany (23:30) she became the match winner with 41 percent of balls saved.