09.01.2008, 09:28
Increasing pressure on Haraldsen

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen has to take even more responsibility after the injury of the other Viborg goalkeeper. The handballer talks about this situation.

Increasing pressure on Haraldsen

The many injuries in Viborg HK mean increasing pressure on goalkeeper Katrine Lunde Haraldsen. Since the team´s other goalkeeper, Louis Bager Due, picked up a foot injury before Christmas, Viborg had to sign a new goalkeeper for the team. Haraldsen’s substitute will be a young French keeper, Aurelie Rouquette.

So far Katrine Lune Haraldsen had to carry the responsibility alone. It went well in the Danish Cup final before New Year for Haraldsen who could bring a lot of self confidence with her from the World Championship earlier in December.

At home against Oltchim Valcea, however, Haraldsen, who has 102 caps for Norway, did not have much success as Viborg lost 31-29.

Eurohandball.com talks to the 27-year old goalkeeper, who joined Viborg from Aalborg DH together with her twin sister Kristine Lunde before this season.

Eurohandball.com: What was it like for you to be the only goalkeeper in Viborg?

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen: It is okay as long I play well. But it is not so nice when I play badly, but this was the situation…

Eurohandball.com: Do you feel bigger pressure as the team’s only top level keeper?

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen: I only feel the pressure that I put on myself. I always want to play well – as all handball players probably do.

Eurohandball.com: You have been in Viborg for a little more than six months after joining from Aalborg DH. What was the change like for you?

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen: Really nice. I’d been looking forward to the change for a long time and I feel really well at this club.

Eurohandball.com: What is it like to join a team that is – when complete – considered the strongest side in Europe by many people?

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen: Well, we certainly did not prove that we were Europe’s strongest team in the match against Valcea, but we have been disturbed by injuries lately. The absence of Bojana Popovic and Grit Jurack have been particularly palpable. Anyway, we have to win our last match against Budapest. We just want to go on in this tournament and fight with the other top teams in Europe.

TEXT: Peter Bruun