The Dutch handball players want to celebrate their eighth win in a row at the home World Cup and book a ticket to the final against Norway. However, the Olympic champions around captain Henny Reistad are the biggest possible opponents.
It is the duel between the two teams that marched through the World Cup so far most confidently: Netherlands against Norway. It is also the duel between the world champions of recent years: 2019 against 2021. The defending champions from France will play in the first semi-final against the German team (live from 5.30 p.m. on Erste and on sportschau.de). The role of favorites there is clearly on the French side, and it is hardly foreseeable in the second duel.
After her victory at the Olympic Games in Paris, the Norwegian world handball player Stine Oftedal Dahmke ended her active career. However, anyone who expected a drop in performance or a period of discovery within the Norwegian team was quickly disappointed. Because coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad still has top international talent at his disposal in all positions – but that also applies to the Netherlands. The most important players in comparison:
Henny Reistad vs. Kelly Dulfer
She is the key player and “Oftedal heiress” of the Norwegian team: Henny Reistad. With 40 goals and 20 assists, the right-hander underlines her dangerous dual role as a goalscorer and preparer at this World Cup. In 2022 (European Championship) and 2023 (World Cup), she was voted the most valuable player in the two major tournaments when she was in her early 20s. The captain takes responsibility in the decisive phases and will be difficult to stop in the semi-finals with her constant power.
Unstoppable: Henny Reistad poses problems for every defense with her dynamism
Kelly Dulfer is not only part of the Dutch gold generation of 2019, the backcourt player also celebrated great successes at club level: the first German championship in the club’s history with BVB, 63 games unbeaten across all competitions and numerous titles with SG BBM Bietigheim and, since 2024, with the top European club Györi ETO (Hungary). The defense specialist impressed at the home World Cup with eight steals (third place) and her strong transition behavior.
Advantage Norway (1:0): Henny Reistad has dominated world handball for years and can hardly be eliminated on the offensive.
Nora Mork vs. Dione Housheer
For a long time there was a question mark behind Mork’s World Cup campaign. The left-hander became a mother in May and has only been back on the handball field since September. National coach Gjekstad still nominated the 192-time national player – which once again underlines Mørk’s qualities. Before the semi-finals, the two-time world champion “only” has 21 goals, but with her presence and goal threat alone she provides additional space for her teammates.
On a wave of euphoria: Dione Housheer is playing a strong home World Cup so far
Unlike Mork, Dione Housheer can be used in both attack and defense, allowing the 26-year-old to score additional goals from the tempo game. The left-hander – like Dulfer – has been playing at Györi ETO since 2024 and has continued to gain in quality since her move. Whether it’s a throw from the backcourt, one-on-one or a pass to the free teammate: Housheer is the decisive player in the “Oranje” team and a key figure if the final against Norway is to work out.
Advantage Netherlands (1:1): Housheer has been delivering strong performances since the preliminary round and is one of the MVP candidates at this tournament so far.
Katrine Lunde vs. Yara Ten Holte
It’s a duel of generations. The Norwegian flag bearer in Paris announced her retirement from the national team before the World Cup and yet the 45-year-old is the most successful goalkeeper of the tournament before the semi-finals – with 63 saves and a rate of 54.3 percent of balls saved. Her record includes, among other things, three Olympic gold medals, two World Cup and seven European Championship titles. She is considered one of the most successful handball players in sports history.
Norwegian goalkeeper Katrine Lunde celebrates one of her 63 saves at this World Cup
25-year-old Yara Ten Holte is one of the most talented young goalkeepers in the world. Her path took her from Dalfsen (Netherlands) via Dortmund to the Danish top team Odense Handbold. The Dutchwoman made her national team debut in 2020 and is number one at the home World Cup, following in the footsteps of the retired world-class goalkeeper Tess Lieder (née Wester). And with success: 73 saves in seven games and a rate of 40.1 percent.
Advantage Norway (2:1): The experience speaks for Lunde – and that the exceptional athlete wants to say goodbye with another world title.