Born: March 30, 1980 (Kristiansand, Norway)
Biography:
Katrine Lunde (formerly Haraldsen) is a Norwegian professional handball goalkeeper who has left an indelible mark on the sport. Born on March 30, 1980, in Kristiansand, Norway, Lunde’s passion for handball was evident from an early age. She grew up in a family that had a strong sporting background, and this undoubtedly influenced her decision to pursue a career in the sport.
Lunde’s handball journey began in her hometown, where she started playing for Hånes Club. She quickly demonstrated her exceptional skills and caught the attention of many. Over the years, Lunde played for several clubs, each time increasing her expertise and contributions to the sport. She had stints with Kristiansand, Våg, Aalborg DH, and Viborg, during which she honed her goalkeeping abilities and gained invaluable experience.
In 2009 and 2010, Lunde achieved the pinnacle of success by winning the Champions League with Viborg. These victories showcased her exceptional talent and solidified her reputation as one of the top goalkeepers in the world. Following her impressive performances, Hungarian club Győri ETO KC signed her in 2010, further elevating her career.
Lunde’s international debut came in 2002 when she earned a place on the Norwegian national team. From then on, she became an integral part of the team’s success and played a significant role in many triumphs. Her first major accomplishment on the international stage came in 2004 when she helped Norway win the European Championship. This victory was the beginning of a remarkable journey in which Lunde claimed six European titles in total (2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2020, 2022).
Her list of achievements extends beyond Europe, as Lunde’s resolute goalkeeping played an instrumental role in Norway’s success in various other tournaments. She won Olympic gold medals at the 2008 Beijing Games and the 2012 London Games, solidifying her place as a key figure in Norwegian handball history. Furthermore, Lunde secured the World Championship title in 2011 and 2021, with a silver medal in 2007 and a bronze medal in 2009.
Lunde’s illustrious career also includes club triumphs in multiple countries. In addition to her success with Viborg, she experienced victory with Hungarian club Győri ETO KC, winning several national championships. After two years in Hungary, Lunde embarked on a journey to Russia, signing with Rostov-Don in 2015. However, her love for Norway and Vipers Kristiansand eventually drew her back home, where she continues to make remarkable contributions to her current club. Her contract with Vipers Kristiansand remains valid until 2025.
Lunde’s exceptional skills, unwavering determination, and numerous achievements have made her an inspiration to aspiring handball players and sports enthusiasts alike. Her dedication to the sport and relentless pursuit of excellence have undoubtedly influenced generations of athletes. As a highly decorated goalkeeper, Lunde has etched her name in the annals of women’s handball history and continues to be a shining example of what can be achieved through hard work and passion.
Awards:
– Olympic Games:
– Winner: 2008, 2012
– Bronze Medalist: 2016, 2020
– World Championship:
– Winner: 2011, 2021
– Silver Medalist: 2007, 2017
– Bronze Medalist: 2009
– European Championship:
– Winner: 2004, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2020, 2022
– Silver Medalist: 2002, 2012
– Damehåndboldligaen (Danish League):
– Winner: 2008, 2009, 2010
– Silver Medalist: 2005
– Bronze Medalist: 2006, 2007
– DHF Landspokalturneringen (Danish Cup):
– Winner: 2007, 2008
– Nemzeti Bajnokság I (Hungarian League):
– Winner: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
– Silver Medalist: 2015
– Magyar Kupa (Hungarian Cup):
– Winner: 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015
– EHF Champions League:
– Winner: 2009, 2010, 2013, 2014, 2021, 2022, 2023
– Finalist: 2012
– Bronze Medalist: 2019
– Semifinalist: 2006, 2011
– EHF Cup:
– Winner: 2017
– Finalist: 2018
– Semifinalist: 2004
– Norwegian League:
– Winner: 2017/2018, 2018/2019, 2019/2020, 2020/2021, 2021/2022, 2022/2023
– Norwegian Cup:
– Winner: 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022/23
Individual awards:
– All-Star Goalkeeper of the Olympic Games: 2008, 2020
– All-Star Goalkeeper of the European Championship: 2008, 2010, 2012
– Foreign Handballer of the Year in Hungary: 2013
– All-Star Goalkeeper of the World Championship: 2017
– All-Star Goalkeeper of the Champions League: 2019
– All-Star Goalkeeper of Eliteserien (Norwegian League): 2018/2019, 2020/2021, 2021/2022
– EHF Excellence Awards.