Haraldsen: "Continue this way"

This summer the Norwegian world class goalkeeper transferred from reigning EHF Champions League title holders Viborg HK (DEN) to the Hungarian champions Győri Audi ETO KC. Together with the Hungarian national team goalkeeper Katalin Pálinger she builds the foundation of Győr's defence.

The team has performed extremely succesful in the competition so far. In the Group Matches they won Group D, in the Main Round they lead in Group 2. In the last round they clearly defeated co-favourites Larvik HK (NOR) in a well-deserved away victory.

ehfCL.com: Looking back at your victory in the top game in Larvik, what was the secret of your excellent form?

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen: I think everybody in our team had a very good day, which was the main reason for the fine result. All of our players were in good shape so it was really a fantastic match. It is always a special feeling to play in Norway like that.

Larvik usually has an excellent defence, but this time we managed to slip through it perfectly. Our own defence worked well, and therefore I could save many shoots.

I felt happy to be back in my home country. It is always a good feeling to meet with my family and to see a lot of familiar faces.

ehfCL.com: People say that if Győr so easily could beat one of the biggest favourites of the EHF Women’s Champions League, Győr has the best chances to win the final. What is your opinion about it?

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen: I don't think that it is so easy. We performed extremely well in Larvik, but that was only one match. There are still quite many steps ahead before we can even start to talk about the final.

But of course I think that we proved our good shape, and I also hope that we will continue this way.

ehfCL.com: The EHF Women’s Champions League was resting for two weeks. Do you think that your team could reserve their excellent form?

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen: Yes, I hope so. In these two weeks we played two matches in the Hungarian league which resulted in two victories, and we also had good trainings.

ehfCL.com: What's the latest on your goalkeeper colleague Pálinger's injury? Can she play against Leipzig or will you play the whole match?

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen: I don’t know the current status, but of course I hope that she can be the part of the team. She has been attending training sessions in the last few days, so we will see.

ehfCL.com: Your upcoming opponents are Leipzig. In Győr you won by 5 goals, but your game play was not on top level at all. What happened in that match?

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen: Leipzig are no easy opponents to meet, as they are always fighting. These matches against the Germans are always tough clashes. We have to avoid mistakes at any cost, and then I hope that we can have a good match.

ehfCL.com: What are your feelings about Heidi Løke coming to Győr in summer?

Katrine Lunde Haraldsen: Of course I am looking forward to have her here. She is a really good girl and she is also an expert in playing handball. I guess she has a bit different line player style than other line players.