LIVE Germany – Norway, the grand final of the Women's Handball World Championship

Anyone betting on a triumphant victory for Norway in the 2025 World Cup finals must have weighed their enthusiasm after the opening minutes of the decisive match. The Nordic national team, four-time world champion, had reached the last act after an impressive course, with victories on the line by overwhelming scores.

Chronicle written by Luminița Paul after Norway – Germany 23-20, the grand final of the Women's Handball World Cup

On the other side, a surprise opponent, who welcomed the final with all the lights on: it was the first one she was going to play after 32 years. In 1993, Germany won the title, after reunification, in an edition with Norway in 3rd place and Romania in 4th.

However, it was clear from the way they started the match that the final was not enough for Vogel, Grijseels and their colleagues. They wanted more, they felt that it was possible, especially when the alert, almost suffocating rhythm imposed, validated them.

A very even first half with Germany keeping pace with Norway

On the other side, a Norway that sparkled for a few phases then entered a kind of short circuit. To have suppressed the emotions, the memory of the previous final, lost in 2023 to France? It is certain that without the veteran Catherine Lunde (45 years old), in the last match of the national team, and her magical interventions, the situation would have been even darker for the Scandinavian team.

With a Henny Reistadconsidered the best player in the world with clear arguments, downright pale, right winger Hovden 0 of 3 and many uncharacteristic mistakes, Norway led for the last time in the 5th minute, 4-3. Then he sat in the net for Germany, which was two goals ahead three times, 6-4, 7-5, 8-6.

The powerful Inter German Vogel from Ferencvaros had three successes, but also 4 misses, his team seems to be taking insufficient advantage of the deleted replica of the opponents. After the pace slackened midway through the first half, the tension remained and a poise was secured at half-time by an inspired throw from Aardahl towards the empty net. 11-11 after the first 30 minutes and a lot of curiosity for what would come next.

It wasn't until the restart that Reistad scored her first goal. Something changed for the better for Norway, however, after coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad started at right wing Nora Mork and her versatility caused effervescence in the Northern attack. At 15-12 for the four-time world champion, Markus Gaugisch asked for a time-out. It was only 6 minutes into the second half and the name “Mork” was repeated by the German technician.

Fiery second half, breakaway at the end and Norway's triumph

A spectacular phase in the 41st minute: “aerial” on the route Mork-Reistad ended with the ball sent by the latter in front of the goalkeeper Katharina Filter, elimination for the northern center. And hesitations, almost panic, took over the game of the world vice-champion. Grijseels' ability to pass and create spaces was also noted, with the former CSM player having a useful presence for Germany.

The balance returned after Norway's 3-length break away, which looked like a blow hard to bear for the opponents. However, the Germans recovered, fighting tooth and nail in defense and hitting hard in attack: 17-17! How much more plot could fit into this finale?

In the end, Reistad found assumed and successful throws, giving some air to his team, which too often bogged down in attack. Then what a blow! Mork missed a 7-yard shot, adding to the tension with 5 minutes left in the game. Reistad also shone, with a saving pass on the far right, to another former CSM player, Aune. Empty! And one more, also Aune.

2 and a half minutes, three goals ahead, was it enough for the Nordics? Time is running out, the bar doesn't help, but Germany's first goal comes from the wing, through Behrend. However, Ingstad seals the victory, from Reistad's pass, over a match that was balanced until the end, 23-20.

Disappointment for Germany, but Norway win their fifth world title with excitement. Joy in navy and red, thanks to Katrine Lunde for an exceptional career, we meet again with the Women's World Cup in 2027 in Hungary!

Scorers Germany: Vogel 4, Leuchter 4, Grijseels 4, Lott 2, Doll 1, Antl 1, Engel 1, Smits 1, Kuhne 1, Behrend 1

Norway Markers: T. Deila 5, Reistad 5, Bakkerud 3, Mork 3, Wollik 2, Aune 2, Ingstad 2, Aardahl 1

• France v Netherlands, the small final of the tournament, was decided after extra time – DETAILS

FINAL » Germany – Norway 20-23

• Min. 59: Norway has a two-goal lead and is headed for the gold medal.

• Min. 55: Filter saved Mork's 7-yard shot

• Min. 53: After a good moment by Germany, Norway scored twice and went to +2. Immediately Germany scored

• Min. 47: Germany equalized! Norway lost a possession and Germany missed the attack

• Min. 42: Germany managed to reduce the difference in numerical superiority. Score 14-16

• Min. 41: Reistad was sent off after hitting Filter in the face with the ball. The goalkeeper felt a little bit after the shot

• Min. 38: Germany managed to score with Norway outnumbered. Aardahl was eliminated two minutes

• Min. 37: Germany started to make a lot of mistakes in the offensive phase. Norway took advantage and built a three-goal lead. In the second half, the German national team has scored only once so far

• Min. 31: Norway came out better after the break, scored and is in the lead for the second time. Germany attacked, but Lunde countered spectacularly again

• Break in Rotterdam

• Min. 29: Lott scores and Norway has a player sent off. Norway luckily equalized in the final seconds after a mistake in Germany's defense

• Min. 27: After a few minutes in which the defenses were up to the mark, he scored. Norway scored from 7 meters

• Min. 20: Germany's defense puts pressure on Norway's players, and they make a lot of mistakes. Instead Lunde is flawless. He has already reached the sixth parade.

• Min. 19: The two teams now go head to head. Score 9-9

• Min. 17: Norway came back into the game and equalized. Score 8-8. Germany hasn't scored in 5 minutes

• Min. 13: Germany remains at +2, but also benefited from incredible misses from Norway's players

• Min. 8: Two mistakes by Norway gave Germany a +2 lead. However, the Nordics responded immediately

• Min. 6: Katrine Lunde reached the third parade. He brought out Antl's execution incredibly

• Min. 4: Germany escaped on the counterattack, but Lunde pulls off a fabulous save again. Score 2-2

• Min. 3: Norway took a lead after Germany missed their attack. Lunde had two consecutive parades

• Min. 2: Norway equalized from 7 meters

• Min. 1: Germany had the first attack and opened the scoring through Antl

• Game start!

Norway qualified for their tenth World Cup final after going 10 goals clear of the Netherlands.

This was the seventh meeting between Germany and Norway at the World Championship, with Norway having won five of the previous meetings, including the semi-final in 1997, after which Germany took the bronze and Norway reached the final and won the silver.

The winner finishes the World Cup with straight wins

There are teams that have won the Women's Handball World Championship without losing a match. In the past 25 years, Russia has achieved this twice, in 2001 and 2005, and France repeated the feat at the previous edition of the competition.

But no team in the final tournament had the strength shown by Norway in this competition. Prior to the final against Germany, Norway had won all eight matches by at least nine goals, while the semi-final saw them out by 10 goals, an absolutely remarkable feat!