"There is no pressure for us"

One of Larvik’s greatest assets on the way to the MVM EHF FINAL4 has been right back Nora Mörk. Despite being just 24 years of age, the 1.67 metres tall Norwegian international is already one of the most experienced players in the team – and her current tally of 84 goals is sure to be extended when she takes to the court in Budapest.

ehfcl.com: Larvik have not lost a single point to date in the EHF Champions League. What makes you so strong this season?

Nora Mörk: We have the right mix of experienced and young players. Furthermore our young guns have gained some experience already, and this has given us the right mix in the team. In particular, we have a strong defence and strong goalkeepers, and this has given us a good basis to work from. We have been good at winning the tight matches, taking home a one or two-goal win every time.

ehfcl.com: Has this increased your self-confidence over the course of the season?

Nora Mörk: Yes, absolutely. It’s always nice to win, and it gives you extra belief in yourself if you win the close matches as well. Winning grants selfconfidence.

ehfcl.com: What does it mean for Larvik to have reached the MVM EHF FINAL4?

Nora Mörk: It means a lot to us, especially considering that we didn’t make it last year. We were all very disappointed then, and therefore we have been even more determined this season. Everything has been aimed at qualifying for Budapest.

ehfcl.com: What does playing at the FINAL4 mean to you personally?

Nora Mörk: It obviously also means a lot to me. It’s the biggest event of the year in club handball, and I’m really looking forward to playing those games. I cannot really put the thought of those matches away at the moment and I can hardly wait for the games to start.

ehfcl.com: The event takes place in the Papp László Budapest Sportaréna where you and several of your teammates won the EHF EURO 2014 with the Norwegian national team in December. Is it a special feeling for you to return to that very same arena?

Nora Mörk: Yes, it sure is. We have many players who have some great memories of that arena. It’s a nice place to play, and I like going to Hungary where people
are generally very nice and where the atmosphere is usually great.

ehfcl.com: You will play the semi-final against Dinamo-Sinara, the easiest possible opponents as many have put it. Do you agree?

Nora Mörk: I expect the semi-final against Dinamo-Sinara to be very tough. They have a very good team, and they would obviously not have gone so far, if they hadn’t had a good team. The fact they won big-time against Vardar, for instance, makes us respect them. Of course, they probably don’t have as much experience as we have, and we may be able to benefit from that, but we will definitely have to take that task very, very seriously.

ehfcl.com: Assuming you get past Dinamo-Sinara, do you have any preferred opponents for the final?

Nora Mörk: No, not really. It does not matter if we meet Buducnost or Vardar. Both will be extremely strong opponents and pose a very tough challenge to us. However, that’s the way it should be when you have come this far. There should absolutely not be any easy matches left, and there are no left!

ehfcl.com: Many people tend to see Larvik as favourites to win the MVM EHF FINAL4. Does that put any kind of pressure on you?

Nora Mörk: No, it really doesn’t. It’s only positive that people expect something from us, and we have created those expectations through our performances. We go to Budapest with a lot of self-confidence, and we would very much like to take the trophy back home as we did in 2011, but we don’t really feel any pressure.

ehfcl.com: What do you think about the second semi-final, Vardar vs. Buducnost?

Nora Mörk: I think we’ll see a very close match in the other semi-final between Buducnost and Vardar. These two teams have enjoyed a huge support when they played at home in this Champions League campaign, and it will be interesting to see what they can do when they play on neutral court. However, I do tend to expect Buducnost to be able to just beat Vardar.

ehfcl.com: So that indicates a final between Larvik and Buducnost?

Nora Mörk: I hope and believe we can make it to the final, and yes, then Buducnost would probably be the most likely opponent there.

See what stars of the other MVM EHF FINAL4 teams have to say about Mork.