Gro Hammerseng-Edin facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Gro Hammerseng-Edin
1st Chairperson of IHF Athletes' Commission
Incumbent
Assumed office 11 August 2016
President	Hassan Moustafa
Vice President	Miguel Roca Mas Joël Delplanque
Preceded by	Position established

Personal information
Born	(1980-04-10) 10 April 1980 (age 45) Gjøvik, Norway
Nationality	Norwegian
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Playing position	Center back
Youth career
Years	Team
1990–1995	Gjøvik HK
1995–1996	Raufoss IL
1996–1997	Vardal IF
Senior clubs
Years	Team
1997–2003	Gjøvik og Vardal HK
2003–2010	FC Midtjylland Håndbold
2010–2017	Larvik HK
National team
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2000–2010	Norway	167	(631)
Medal record Women's handball Representing  Norway Olympic Games Gold 2008 Beijing Team World Championship Silver 2001 Italy Team Silver 2007 France Team European Championship Gold 2004 Hungary Team Gold 2006 Sweden Team Gold 2010 Denmark/Norway Team Silver 2002 Denmark Team

Gro Hammerseng-Edin (born 10 April 1980) is a famous former Norwegian handball player. She was born in Gjøvik, Norway. Gro played as a center back, a key position in handball.

She was the captain of the Norwegian national team for many years. In 2007, she was named the best female handball player in the world. Gro retired from playing handball in 2017.

Gro's Handball Journey

Gro Hammerseng-Edin started playing handball in 1990. Her first club was Gjøvik HK. She played for a few youth clubs before starting her senior career.

Early Club Years

From 1997 to 2003, Gro played for Gjøvik og Vardal HK. She quickly became the team's captain. In 2003, she moved to Denmark. She joined a top Danish club, Ikast-Bording. This club later changed its name to FC Midtjylland Håndbold.

Gro played in Denmark for seven years. She then returned to Norway in 2010. She signed a contract with the Norwegian club Larvik HK.

Playing for Larvik HK

Gro played for Larvik HK from the 2010-2011 season until she retired. She ended her amazing career after the 2016-2017 season. On May 21, 2017, she played her last game. She retired after winning the Grundigligaen finals with Larvik that day.

National Team Achievements

Gro Hammerseng made her first appearance for the Norwegian national team in November 2000. Her first big tournament was the 2000 European Championship. Norway finished sixth in that competition.

Earning Medals

Gro quickly started winning medals with her national team. She won a silver medal at the 2001 World Championship. She also won silver at the 2002 European Championship.

In December 2003, Gro became the team captain. Her first tournament as captain was the 2003 World Championship. Norway did not do well, finishing sixth. This meant they missed the 2004 Summer Olympics.

Gold Medals and MVP Awards

The 2004 European Championship brought Gro her first gold medal. She was also named the Most Valuable Player (MVP) of the tournament. This means she was considered the best player. She was also part of the All-Star Team.

After a knee injury in 2005-2006, Gro came back strong. She repeated her success at the 2006 European Championship. She won her second gold medal. Again, she was named MVP and made the All-Star Team.

At the 2007 World Championship, Norway lost to Russia in the final. Gro earned her third silver medal. She was also chosen as the best left back in the All-Star Team.

Olympic Gold

The 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing was a big moment. Norway played Russia again in the final match. This time, Norway won comfortably with a score of 34–27. Gro Hammerseng won her first Olympic gold medal.

By December 2010, Gro had played 167 games for Norway. She scored an impressive 631 goals.

Awards and Special Recognition

Gro Hammerseng-Edin received many awards throughout her career. These awards recognized her skill and leadership.

• 2004
  • MVP - European Championship 2004
  • All-Star Team: European Championship 2004 - Best Playmaker
• 2005
  • All-Star Team: Danish League 2004/05 - Best Playmaker
• 2006
  • MVP - European Championship 2006
  • All-Star Team: European Championship 2006 - Best Playmaker
  • 'Role model' of the year, Norwegian Sports Gala
  • 'Team Player' of the year, Norwegian Sports Gala
• 2007
  • 'Snill Pike Statuetten' - Norwegian media photographers
  • World Handball Player of the Year - Voted by fans and experts.
  • All-Star Team: World Championship 2007 - Best Left Back
• 2008
  • Casparprisen - Gjøvik City award
• 2009
  • 'Player of the Year' voted by the Ikast-fans
• 2010
  • All-Star Team: European Championship 2010 - Best Playmaker
  • 'Team Player' of the year, Norwegian Sports Gala

Life Outside Handball

Gro Hammerseng-Edin is also known for her work off the court. In 2012, she became a mother to her son, Mio. Her second son, Leo, was born in 2018.

Before the 2008 Beijing Summer Olympics, Gro joined other Norwegian athletes. They supported an Amnesty International campaign. This campaign was about human rights.

Career Highlights

Gro Hammerseng-Edin achieved many successes with her teams.

With the Norwegian National Team

• Olympic Games
  • Gold: 2008
• World Championship
  • Silver: 2001, 2007
• European Championship
  • Gold: 2004, 2006, 2010
  • Silver: 2002

With FC Midtjylland Håndbold (Denmark)

• Danish Championship
  • Silver: 2007/08
  • Bronze: 2003/04, 2004/05
• Danish Cup
  • Silver: 2003, 2004
• Cup Winners' Cup
  • Gold: 2003/04
• EHF Cup
  • Silver: 2006/07

With Larvik HK (Norway)

• Norwegian League
  • Gold: 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17
• Norwegian Cup
  • Gold: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
• Norwegian Play-off
  • Gold: 2010/11, 2011/12, 2012/13, 2013/14, 2014/15, 2015/16, 2016/17
• Champions League
  • Gold: 2010/11
  • Silver: 2012/13, 2014/15

Images for kids

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  Gro Hammerseng-Edin in 2014.