Group C: HC Vardar, Larvik HK, FTC Rail-Cargo Hungaria, Thüringer HC
Larvik HK was the best Norwegian club many years in a row, but this season it will be a special one for Tor Odvar Moen and his team. Last year’s squad almost disappeared totally, ten players left the club and new, young, talented players arrived. On the list of those who left we can find names which resonate highly in the entire handball world, Gro Hammerseng-Edin, Anja Hammerseng-Edin and Karoline Dyre Breivang retired from handball, Amanda Kurtovic, Marit Malm Frafjord choose CSM in order to win the trophy, Alina Wojtas is back to Poland, Sandra Toft moved home to Denmark, Alma Hasanic plays for Storhamar now.
The experienced players who will have to carry Larvik on their shoulders this season are Thea Mørk (new team captain), Tine Stange, Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth Koren, the newcomer goalie Guro Rundbråten and Swedish back player Cassandra Tollbring.
Larvik lost their first two matches in the domestic league, but the team managed to gather their forces again and defeated Byåsen in Trondheim in a match with a good dynamic. May not have the best squad in Europe, Larvik is still a main contender to the Main Round and who knows, for one of the best eight spots.
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Guro Rundbråten, Gabriela Goncalves Diaz Moreschi (BRA), Kamilla Roed
Backplayers: Kristine Breistøl, Emilie Christensen, Maria Hjertner, Tine Stange, Cassandra Tollbring (SWE), Mari Finstad Bergum, Matilde Rivas Toft, Kristina Rosten,
Rightwing: Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth Koren, Hege Løken
Leftwing: Thea Mørk, Tonje Roth Berglie, Marie Kaspersen Duvholt, Samra Lupic
Lineplayers: Tamires Morena Lima de Araujo (BRA), Therese Heidelberg, Martine Wolff
Left the team: Marit Malm Frafjord (CSM Bucuresti), Amanda Kurtovic (CSM Bucuresti), Sanna Solberg (Team Esbjerg), Sandra Toft (Team Esbjerg), Alina Wojtas (Zaglebie Lubin), Alma Hasanic Grizovic (Storhamar), Vilde Ingeborg Johansen (Tertnes), Lena Løwe (Levanger HK), Gro Hammerseng-Edin (retired), Karoline Dyhre Breivang (retired), Anja Hammerseng-Edin (retired)
Newcomers: Tamires Morena (Dijon), Cassandra Tollbring (H65 Höör), Emilie Christensen (Glassverket), Guro Rundbråten (Glassverket), Martine Wolff (Glassverket), Maria Hjertner (Byåsen), Mari Finstad Bergum (Gjøvik), Mathilde Rivas-Toft (Aker), Tonje Roth Berglie (Aker), Kamilla Røed (Flint), Marie Duvholt Kaspersen (Larvik junior), Samra Lupic (Flint), Therese Heidelberg (Larvik junior), Geir Oustorp assistant coach (Glassverket)
Injuries: rightwinger Hege Løken is back from a long injury break, Thea Mørk is still in recovery after her shoulder injury earlier this year, Kristine Breistøl is always struggling with her jumper knees, so there are a lot of challenges for Tor Odvar Moen to take.
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