BIOGRAPHY
“Ski” and “Norway” are two words often seen together, but for Norwegian international Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth-Koren, Ski is her hometown, rather than the sport she played. It was in Ski where she first played handball, before turning professional at Furuset IL in 2001.
Her talent from the wing was quickly noted, and she earned a move to Larvik HK after one season, and would remain there for 14 of the next 15 seasons of her career, winning the Norwegian league and cup 13 times apiece. Larvik’s domestic dominance did not always translate on the international stage, but Riegelhuth-Koren picked up two Cup Winners’ Cup medals.
For Norway, with whom she made her debut in 2003, international dominance was clear to see. Riegelhuth-Koren was part of the squad which appeared in six successive EHF EURO finals, winning five of them. She won a medal of each colour at the World Championship, and won gold at the Olympics in 2008 and 2012. She was named World Player of the Year in 2008 after backing-up Olympic gold with finishing as EHF EURO 2008 top scorer and gold medallist.
She moved to Denmark and FCK Handbold in 2009, but was back at Larvik after just a year. The return seemed to be inspired, as in the 2010/11 campaign, Larvik reached the pinnacle of club handball, winning the EHF Champions League. They would reach the final twice more with Riegelhuth-Koren in the side, before she retired in 2017.
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