The left handed Amanda Kurtovic did not sign a new contract with Larvik HK and will not play for them next season.

Amanda Kurtovic arrived to the club from the 2010/2011 season, but played the first half season for Byåsen, and went back to Larvik January 2011.

A new club for Amanda Kurtovic is not announced yet.

Amanda Kurtovic was in the Norwegian squad that just became World Champions in Brazil.

Gro Hammerseng has agreed to stay in Larvik extending her contract to 2013/2014 season. Anja Edin, Gro’s girlfriend, have also signed a two year contract for Larvik HK.
will become a mother next year.

Larvik HK is pleased to have secured the two signatures which means that Gro Hammerseng and Anja Edin plays in Larvik HK the next two seasons.

- We are very pleased that Gro want to play two more years for Larvik HK. That Anja also choose Larvik is also gratifying, says head coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad in a press release from Larvik HK.

Hammerseng and Edin is pleased to have made ​​their choice

- We have chosen Larvik HK because we just ended up that that was what we wanted to. It feels like the right choice. The sports offer is very exciting, says Gro Hammerseng.

Gro Hammerseng

167 national team matches
Olympic gold (2008)
3 x European Championship Gold (2004, 2006 og 2010)
Champions League champions (Larvik 2010/11)
Cup Winner Cup champions (FC Midtjylland 2004)
League champions in Norway (Larvik 2010/11)
Play off champions in Norway (Larvik 2010/11)
Norwegian champions (Larvik 2010/11)

Anja Edin

32 national team matches
World Championship Bronze (2009)

Final, Sao Paulo, Brazil:

France – Norway 24:32 (13:19)

Olympic Champions Norway have won after several first places at European Championships the gold medal at the World Championship.

The only defeat Norway has suffered was against Germany in the opener of the tournament.

In this final, the Scandinavians were superior in every aspect of the game and gave no chance to France who was weakened due to injuries during the championship.

Coach Olivier Krumbholz called in back player Marion Limal, but even with her France had absolutely no chance, as Norway controlled the game from the early minutes on.

With a determined game and full focus, the Norwegians used every opportunity to score and France lacked luck often in the attacking, as several shots hit the woodwork only or goalkeeper Katrine Lunde Haraldsen saved marvelously.

Also, in their defense, France had massive problems, the French players were not able to stop the sharpshooters of the opponent.

With this clear victory over France, European Championship silver medalist Sweden has secured a place at the Olympic Games, whilst France has to go through the qualification tournament.

The All Star Team of the World Championship in Brazil is as follows:

Left Wing: Emilia Turei (RUS)
Right Wing: Carmen D. Martin (ESP)
Pivot: Heidi Löke (NOR)
Left Back: Andrea Penezic (CRO)
Centre B ack: Allison Pineau (FRA)
Right Back: Line Jorgensen (DEN)
Goalkeeper: Chana Masson (BRA)

Match for 3rd place:

Denmark – Spain 18:24 (9:9)

The Spaniards deservedly celebrated big time the bronze medal, as coach Jorge Duenas´ team clearly defeated Denmark in a game that was only open in the first half.

In the first 30 minutes the teams were on eye level, the lead has changed several times with mostly Denmark being in the front, but Spain leveling.

Both teams have been damaged during the World Championship, Spain looked very tired, whilst Denmark had a bad day.

In the second half individual plays by Macarena Aguilar and Nerea Pena pre-decided the match and also goalkeeper Silvia Navarro contributed much to today´s success.

Danish coach Jan Pytlick chose bad tactics with his 5:1 and 4:2 defense, as with Macarena Aguilar the Spanish side had the best possible playmaker for such situations.

With the dying minutes approaching, Denmark lost several balls and Spain was able to extend its lead.

Angola – Croatia 29:32 (12:14)

Despite a slow start in the game, Croatia has turned the match and kept their lead till the dying seconds.

In the first 10 minutes Angola has controlled the game, the Croats only woke up after being down by 3 goals. Then, Miranda Tatari and company gave their best and with Angola becoming more and more tired, Croatia were able to start several counter attacks. Both wing players, Maja Zebic and Anita Gace were successful several times on the wing.

Angola has started a catch-up phase in the second half, but Croatia remained focused and at the end had no problems against their African opponent.

Match for 5th place, Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Russia – Brazil 20:36 (11:18)

Brazil have outclassed Russia and end up on 5th place in the World Championship.

It was the game between two teams that both disappointedly lost its important quarterfinal match, Russia against France, and Brazil against Spain.

Both of them were hoping for more, Brazil as being the hosts and Russia as the title defender.

Despite the last game in the tournament, the Sbornaja showed a horrid performance, this game was of no importance to coach Evgeny Trefilov either, as his side has already qualified for the Olympic Games tournaments.

Brazil on the order hand gave its best, the team was highly motivated and let no chance to the Russians. The Brazilian wing players impressed greatly and each player has contributed well to the successful result at the World Championship.

Semi-final, Sao Paulo, Brazil:

Norway – Spain 30:22 (16:9)

There was no doubt about the second finalist at the World Championship, as Norway outclassed Spain and reached the final.

The Norwegians were very well prepared and didn´t give any chance to the Spaniards who had massive problems against the top attacking of the Scandinavians.

Kikki Lunde and Marit Malm Frafjord were both superior in defense, and the Spanish attackers didn´t find a hole in the Norwegian rock-sold defense.

The Norwegians paved the way of success already in the first half, where everything was pre-decided.

They had their best game in the tournament and will face on Sunday France in the final, a team that had several injuries within the team.

Spain will meet Denmark in the bronze match.

Semi-final, Sao Paulo, Brazil:

France – Denmark 28:23 (14:12)

France have stopped the so far undefeated Danish team and reached as first team the finale of the World Championship.

It were the Danes with the better start in the game, Jan Pytlick´s players established a 3-goals lead, whilst on the French side playmaker Allison Pineau injured herself, which came as a shock to coach Olivier Krumbholz´s team.

Despite the injury, right back Alexander Lacrabere took the initiative and her side quickly came on eye level and even took the lead before the half-time whistle.

In the second half France brought the same high quality handball as in their quarterfinal game against Russia, the Danes never came as close as two goals.

The dying minutes were already part of the fiesta for the French, so the tricolor has celebrated bravely after the final whistle.

Placement matches 5 to 8:

Croatia – Brazil 31:32 (15:14)

Brazil turned a match again after being down by several goals, coach Morten Soubak´s team has celebrated victory against Croatia and will face Russia for the 5th place game.

Croatia looked stronger and more motivated in the first half, Brazil lacked the enthusiasm of the previous matches and so it were the east-Europeans who had the better start, Andrea Penezic played her best game in the tournament and was one of the main pilars for Croatia´s clear lead.

Brazil only woke up after about 20 minutes and with six goals by Hypo players the Brazilians came as close as one goal to half-time.

The Croats came more determined from the cabins and took the initiative again and established a four goals lead.

Brazil started a catch-up phase and made the equalizer 10 minutes before the end. Then, the time has come for the supporters to cheer as loud as possible for the hosts, this gave a big boost to the locals and Dani Piedade and co. went in lead by three goals.

The Croats were able to level the match, but Brazil has scored in the dying seconds and won the match.

Photo: Bjørn Kenneth Muggerud

Russia – Angola 41:31 (17:18)

After the disappointing quarterfinals, Russia looked more fresh and the Sbornaja has defeated Angola and will play for the 5th place, whilst Angola will meet the looser between Croatia and Brazil for the 7th place match.

Coach Evgeny Trefilov´s team only had problems in the first 30 minutes with Angola being on eye level. The two nations changed the lead several times, it was a head-to-head duel with the Africans leading at half-time.

In the second half the Russians increased the tempo, started their 5th gear and with Angola becoming tired and unconcentrated Emilia Turey and company celebrated an easy 10-goals victory.