Humans of Beach Handball: Line Berggren Larsen

We have to rewind many years to find Berggren Larsen on the beach handball court for the first time — the interest started already in her youth, before it became serious several years later.

"As a youth player, I have participated in some local beach handball tournaments. But my beach handball adventure really started in 2019, when I took part in the DM tour for the first time and was selected for the European Championship in Poland, where we won gold.

"Beach handball means a lot to me. I get motivated and I get renewed energy when I'm away. I like the way the sport is built — with lots of pace and speed, while you have to be technically and tactically skilled. I'm challenged when I play beach handball, and I think that's great," says the 25-year-old, about the sport which has also given her a lot of good relationships.

"The sport has given me some fantastic acquaintances, and I have met some of my closest friends through the sport. There is generally a really good community across the teams, which makes it even cooler to be a part of. I have had some wonderful and unforgettable experiences through the sport, which I really appreciate." 

Although there have been a lot of fantastic experiences for Berggren Larsen, there is one in particular which went straight to the heart and means a little more:

"When we won gold at the EHF EURO in 2019. It was the first time I was involved, and our men's national team also won gold, so it was just a wild and fantastic experience — but gold at the Finals and gold at the European Games are also high on the list."

A life of indoor handball and crime study

Although it is in beach handball that Berggren Larsen has won the biggest titles of her career, it is not where she spends most of her time. On a daily basis, there is another handball on the agenda.

"My relationship with indoor handball is that I have played it since I was 5–6 years old. Today I am a professional handball player in Aarhus Handball," she says. 

"In addition to indoor handball and beach handball, I am studying a master's degree in criminology at Aalborg University. In addition, I am a volunteer at Børn’s Vilkår on BørneTelefonen (a counseling service for Danish children who are going through various struggles) and a volunteer at the Red Cross in the Prison Visit Service. Otherwise, I spend my time with my family and friends.

"It has always interested me why some people become criminals and what is the basis for it. At the same time, I am very interested in being able to prevent crime and help people out of a criminal life. That's why it was obvious to train as a criminologist."

So, with such a busy schedule, what does a normal day look like for Berggren Larsen?

"It depends on our match schedule, in relation to when we train and play matches. But a typical day for me will be to get up early to do strength training, then do an internship in connection with my studies, go to handball training afterwards and maybe have dinner with some girlfriends," says Berggren Larsen, who, with just 25 years behind her, can look forward to many more hours on the sand, where she still has a few dreams she wants to accomplish.

"In terms of handball, I dream of getting as far as possible and continuing to develop in all parameters. But the most important thing for me is that I have a good time and have fun while doing it."

Selected for the IHF Beach Handball Showcase

One of the latest achievements in her career was her participation in the IHF Beach Handball Showcase, where she and other beach handball stars showed the world the beautiful sport of beach handball, live in Paris, in conjunction with the 2024 Summer Olympics.

“It was a huge honour and I'm just really grateful that they looked my way,” the happy Dane says.

“It was great for me to be a part of and it is an experience that I will not forget. I am happy that I have been allowed to do what I can to promote the sport. It was also very educational because I had to play in a team with other players from all over the world. It was both challenging and rewarding.

“I hope that people will open their eyes to how cool a sport beach handball is. I think the sport deserves a place on the Olympic programme, and I'm just crossing my fingers that it doesn't take too long."

At the age of 25, Berggren Larsen has already won gold at the EHF Beach Handball EURO in 2019, was runner-up at the 2021 edition and took yet another gold medal at the European Games in 2023.

Also, her impressive performances secured her the MVP award at the World Championship in China in 2024, and she was voted the MVP at the EHF Beach Handball Champions Cup 2023 and the 2022 Camelot Beach Tournament with her club. 

She has had a lot of success already, but it seems doubtful Berggren Larsen will finish her medal and title runs here. 

Main photos © kolektiff images, FFHandball – Ahtlaqdmm