European Handball Stars Shine in Olympic Debut

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Fri, 13 Jun 2025

The 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo were set to be a historical event for the sport of handball, with many star players from Europe taking center stage in their debut performances. And boy, did they deliver!

Europe, known for its strong tradition in handball, saw its top teams dominate the competition, with top-seeded Norway, Croatia, and Denmark making early waves in the tournament.

On the women’s side, Norway’s star shooter, Nora Mørk, was unstoppable, racking up an impressive 42 goals in just three games. Her teammate, Katherine Grini, wasn’t far behind, notching 35 goals and contributing to Norway’s swift knockout of Sweden in the round of 16.

Over on the men’s side, Croatia’s unstoppable quartet of Luka Cavlo, Domagoj Duvnjak, Igor Karacic, and Zlatko Horvat led their team to three consecutive victories, disposing of France, Germany, and Hungary with ease. Each of these players would prove to be a difference-maker in the tournament.

With their impressive performances, Croatia and Norway secured berths in the quarterfinals, where they were drawn against each other in one of the most anticipated match-ups of the competition. In a thrilling game filled with drama and stunning athleticism, Norway ultimately prevailed by a single goal (20-19), leaving everyone in awe of their unwavering determination.

One of the most unforgettable scenes of the tournament so far was when Norway’s Caroline Fisker-Bækken scored the match-winner against Croatia. Amidst the jubilant Norwegian team, Norway’s coach, Thorir Steinsson, couldn’t stop beaming with pride:

“We knew we could depend on our players,” the coach said. “What we’ve achieved today would be a dream for so many teams. Every performance has been incredible – no one has let their dreams slip away.”

Indeed, the European handball elite have truly shone. Their impressive performances so far have set the standard extremely high for the competition and have left fans hungry for more.