Anja Andersen facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Anja Andersen |
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| Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | 15 February 1969 Odense, Denmark |
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| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Playing position | Back | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Senior clubs | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 Stjernen IF |
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| Vejle Allested |
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| ASH 72 |
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| IF Jarl Arden |
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1986–1987
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Aalborg KFUM |
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1987–1988
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Ikast FS |
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1989
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Viborg HK |
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1989–1993
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 Bækkelagets SK |
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1993–1996
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 TuS Walle Bremen |
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1996–1999
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Bækkelagets SK |
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| National team 1 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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1989–1998
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Denmark |
133 | (725) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Teams managed | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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2000–2008
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Slagelse DT |
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2006
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 Serbia & Montenegro |
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2008–2010
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FC Copenhagen |
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2011
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 Oltchim Vâlcea |
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2011–2012
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Viborg HK (Men's team) |
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2013–2015
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DHG Odense |
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Medal record
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| 1 National team caps and goals correct as of 3 February 2011 |
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Anja Jul Andersen (born February 15, 1969) is a famous former team handball player and coach from Denmark. Many people think she is one of the best female handball players ever. She won an Olympic gold medal, a World Championship, and two European Championships with her team.
In 1997, she was named the IHF World Player of the Year, which is an award for the best handball player in the world. In 2007, she was added to the Danish Sports Hall of Fame, and in 2024, she was inducted into the EHF Hall of Fame.
Contents
A Star on the Handball Court
Anja Andersen was known for her amazing skills as an attacker. She was also famous for her strong personality and for being brave enough to try daring tricks during games. She played a big role in making Danish handball popular again in the 1990s.
The "Iron Ladies"
After winning the European Championship in 1994, the Danish national team became sports heroes in their country. They were given the nickname "the iron ladies" because of their strength and determination.
While the team had many great players, Andersen was the most famous. Everyone agreed she had incredible talent. Her passionate playing style sometimes led to disagreements. During the 1996 Summer Olympics, her coach, Ulrik Wilbek, even briefly benched her because of arguments over her playing style.
In her career, she played 133 games for the Danish national team and scored 725 goals. This makes her one of the top goal-scorers in the team's history.
A New Style of Play
Andersen brought a new level of entertainment to handball. She was inspired by basketball teams like the Harlem Globetrotters and created a fun, flashy style of play that audiences loved.
After she retired as a player, she even organized a "dream team" of the world's best female handball players. This team played against a Danish team in special matches in 2000 and 2001. The games were very popular with fans.
In 1999, Andersen had to stop her playing career because of a heart condition.
From Player to Coach
After retiring, Andersen immediately began coaching a team called Slagelse. She helped the team get into the top Danish league. Under her leadership, the team won the Champions League, Europe's biggest club competition, three times (in 2004, 2005, and 2007).
She also coached other teams, including the national team of Serbia and clubs in Denmark and Romania. In 2015, she announced that she was finished with her coaching career and did not plan to get involved with handball again.
Awards and Accomplishments
Anja Andersen won many awards and medals as both a player and a coach.
As a Player
- 1993: Silver medal at the World Championship
- 1994: Gold medal at the European Championship
- 1995: Bronze medal at the World Championship
- 1996: Gold medal at the Summer Olympics in Atlanta
- 1996: Gold medal at the European Championship
- 1997: Gold medal at the World Championship
- 1997: Named IHF World Player of the Year
As a Coach
- 2003, 2005, 2007: Won the Danish Women's Handball League with Slagelse
- 2004, 2005, 2007: Won the EHF Women's Champions League with Slagelse
See also
In Spanish: Anja Andersen para niños
