OLD FUN: Silje Solberg-Østhassel (right) delivered a great game. Here with Katrine Lunde and goalkeeper coach Mats Olsson. Photo: Bjørn S. Delebekk / VG
TRONDHEIM (VG) (Norway-Angola 37–19) Four months after she became a mother, she made 53 percent saves. Silje Solberg-Østhassel (32) is surprised. So is Katrine Lunde (43).
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Goalkeeper duo Silje Solberg-Østhassel (32) and Katrine Lunde (43) are back together for the first time since the EC final in November 2022. Solberg-Østhassel delivered an impressive 53% saves just four months after becoming a mother. Norway beat Angola 37–19 Uncertainty has been great around the Norwegian goalkeepers in the run-up to the World Cup Katrine Lunde is back after a six-week absence due to a groin strain Goalkeeper coach Mats Olsson praises both goalkeepers and is confident of Norway’s goalkeeping in the World Cup Show more
For the first time since the EC final in November 2022, the goalkeeper duo with 541 international matches were together again for Norway.
– It is wonderful that we are back. I think it is impressive for both of us to come back at this level after we have both been out, says Solberg-Østhassel to VG.
– It is always very nice to play together with Silje. She is a fantastic goalkeeper. We have known each other for a long time and work well together, says Katrine Lunde.
The uncertainty surrounding the Norwegian goalkeepers has been great in the run-up to the WC. Solberg-Østhassel has not been on the field for a minute for club team Györ this autumn.
– No, I have to be honest to say that I thought this would take longer. I’m surprised that it went so quickly without combat training, says Silje. She has little Emma with her throughout the WC.
She herself explains her success as a mother as follows:
– Everything you have worked with over the years. It turns out that it comes back quickly. It’s in the blood, she says and also thanks the defensive game for Norway conceding only 19 goals against Angola.
– We have a brilliant defense in front of us which makes it easy. Being able to cooperate with the defense and finding greatness and just enjoying playing handball again. That’s the biggest thing for me. I enjoy it very much. I have missed the struggles of pregnancy, she says.
– I know that things can fluctuate, but I feel ready for what is coming now, says Silje Solberg-Østhassel.
Katrine Lunde has been on the pitch in two World Cup matches after a six-week absence. The groin stretch was tough to get rid of. She has had strong doubts about whether she would make it to the championship.
– I felt that. I mostly thought it wouldn’t work, she says after four saves against Angola.
BACK: Katrine Lunde played her second WC match after the injury absence. Photo: Bjørn S. Delebekk / VG
– Not a particularly good match from me. But I know what I have to work on and know what’s coming. I don’t stress, she says.
Goalkeeping coach Mats Olsson has worked for 19 years with Lunde and has been involved in nine of her 10 titles for Norway.
– She has worked hard in the strength room. It is perhaps not what Katrine is most looking forward to in the morning. She would rather be on the handball court, but she has done an incredibly good job. Just like Silje. They have done a fantastic job, says Olsson.
– Are you confident that Norway will have top-level goalkeeping when the World Cup starts?
– I have been safe all along. But it is important for the team and important for the opponents. That means the two goalkeepers with the biggest names are standing. We get respect, explains Mats Olsson.
Did you catch this gesture from Camilla Herrem?
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Published: 07.12.23 at 05:07
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2023-12-07 04:07:04
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