Larvik find new coach in own ranks

It will be a well-known character from the club's own ranks who takes over as head coach by Norwegian women's record champions Larvik HK this summer.

Current assistant coach Tor Odvar Moen will take charge of the team when the current head coach Ole Gustav Gjekstad steps down on 1 June.

“It is going to be really interesting, and I am looking forward to starting in the job. I have had many roles in the club on and outside the court, but lately it had become clear to me that I feel better on the floor. It was there, it all started for me,” said Tor Odvar Moen in an official statement.

50-year-old Moen has been attached to Larvik since 1997, when he joined the club as assistant coach.

In the meantime he has had a number of jobs in the club, including one previous period as head coach, in the last half of the 2010/11 season.

The last three and a half years he had been assistant coach to Gjekstad.

“I am very happy that Tor Odvar has said yes to steer the ship. He has the skills, and he has the necessary experience,” said Larvik captain Gro Hammerseng-Edin.

“It is really reassuring to know that the same line we have been used to is being followed now that Ole Gustav has chosen to seek new challenges. Those two have been the carrying figures in the strong culture which has characterised Larvik HK for many years,” Gro Hammerseng-Edin added.

In the Women's EHF Champions League, Larvik are in Group B of the main round, where they will start with eight points in a group which also consists of reigning champions Györi Audi ETO, Metz Handball, Viborg HK, IK Sävehof and HCM Baia Mare.