The veteran goalkeeper's farewell will be a significant event, drawing a full crowd to the Aquarama venue, though the exact attendance figure has not been disclosed. According to NRK, Katrine Lunde described the occasion as fantastic to be allowed to have that match and be honored in that way. Her national team colleague Frida Brandbu Andersen, who recently debuted for the team, expressed admiration, with NRK reporting she described it as sickly cool to be part of the last match.
Lunde's career began with a debut against Yugoslavia, a country that has not existed for 23 years, though the specific date of that match remains unknown. Over her tenure, she amassed 13 championship golds with the national team, including three Olympic golds, and won the Champions League seven times, cementing her status as one of handball's greats. Recent developments add layers to her retirement: Lunde played for Vipers, which went bankrupt last year, and she is currently working with Randesund goalkeepers.
An adult person, exclaims Katrine Lunde.
Her future work plans are uncertain, with NRK reporting she described her post-retirement intentions as not fully decided, saying she will enjoy the time a little extra as a mom and then take on various assignments. She made the decision to retire before last year's championship, and while she expressed interest in coaching goalkeepers, it is unclear if she will officially join the national team or other teams in that role. According to NRK, national team manager Ole Gustav Gjekstad described hoping to see Lunde as a coaching resource in Norwegian handball moving forward.
It is completely strange.
Katrine has been there all the years, it is sickly cool to be part of the last match.
To be part of a gathering with you is big.
It says that I have been here a long time. I have. I do not feel that old yet.
I think it will be very fun and sensitive and maybe a bit out of itself experience. It will be a lot of emotions.
I do not quite know yet. Now I will just enjoy the time a little extra as a mom. And then take on various assignments that I want to.
I hope we get to see Katrine a lot in Norwegian handball forward as a coaching resource. I hope we get to use her further.
I love working with goalkeepers, so I really want to do that. We will see when things happen, now I am working a bit with the Randesund goalkeepers and it is very rewarding.
It is fantastic to be allowed to have that match and be allowed to be honored in that way.