Germany produced an impressive performance in the final and pushed heavy favourites Norway all the way to the final whistle. In the end, Norway were true to form and at their best when it mattered most, winning the World Championship gold after a 23–20 victory.
Norway had steamrolled opponents throughout the tournament, and heading into the final the feeling was that they would run over yet another team. Germany, however, had also impressed greatly during the championship, and it was immediately clear in the final that they had no intention of letting Norway play on their terms. A confident and determined German side took to the court in Rotterdam.
In fact, the 11–11 halftime scoreline could – and probably should – have been a lead of several goals for Germany, who were clearly the better team for the first 30 minutes. What kept Norway in the match was, of course, a brilliant Katrine Lunde in goal.
Germany’s defensive play was outstanding. Proof? Henny Reistad, the world’s best player, did not score a single goal in the first half. And Norway went scoreless for more than ten minutes in the middle and latter stages of the half.
Norway best when it matters
The second half didn’t look much better for Norway at first. Henny Reistad scored on the opening attack and from then on looked like herself for the remainder of the match. That, combined with Lunde’s superb performance and Norway’s experience in playing this kind of match, proved decisive in the end.
The match remained thrilling all the way to the final whistle, and it took two goals from an unexpected source – right wing Malin Aune – to finally decide the game in Norway’s favour.
Norway eventually won 23–20, securing World Championship gold for the first time since 2021. And Katrine Lunde was given the dream ending to her international career.