In eight previous appearances at the Olympic Games, Norway have always finished between the top four sides, with two gold medals, two silver medals, three bronze medals and a fourth place, at Atlanta 1996. This makes the Scandinavian side the most consistent side in the history of the competition, a lock to make the semi-finals, which they always did when they took the court at the Olympic Games.

However, Norway, whose consistency has been truly special, making the final in each of the last four major international competitions – two editions of the IHF Women’s World Championship and the EHF EURO – did not win the title at the Olympic Games since London 2012, as they aim to add to the otherworldly trophy cabinet, which boasts two Olympic titles, four IHF Women’s World Championship editions and nine EHF EURO editions.

But can they clinch the coveted Olympics gold at Paris 2024? This will definitely be a special competition for Norway, as one of their best players in history, centre back Stine Bredal Oftedal, will make her final appearances in handball. A star-studded career, with three world championship titles, five EHF EURO titles and two bronze medals at the Olympic Games, will end at Paris 2024, as the 32-year-old star has announced she will met an end to her career.

44-year-old goalkeeper Katrine Lunde will also probably feature for the last time at the Olympic Games, becoming the player with the largest number of matches in the competition, as she is currently tied on the first place, with 32 matches, with fellow Norway line player, Marit Frafjord, Brazil right wing Alexandra do Nascimento and Korea’s centre back Seong-oh Ok.

For Paris 2024, coach Thorir Hergeirsson, the longest-tenured coach for any of the women’s teams at Paris 2024, was put in front of some hard choices, but is bringing a star-studded line-up, with Lunde and Oftedal being joined by Nora Mork – the third best scorer in the history of the Olympic Games, plus the 2023 IHF Female World Player of the Year, Henny Reistad.

“This is a strong squad, and in such circumstances, we in the coaching team are concerned with looking after the team's needs. It is an art of balance. We keep all options open should needs or conditions change in the run-up to the final squad for the start of the Olympics,” says Norway’s coach, Thorir Hergeirsson.

Norway will feature in Group A at Paris 2024, alongside four other European sides – Germany, Slovenia, Sweden and Denmark, plus one Asian side, the Republic of Korea. While the Scandinavian side has dominated all their opponents in the last years, the clashes against Denmark - including a fantastic semi-final at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship, decided in extra-time – have been close, therefore Norway securing one of the top two places in the group is not a straightforward conclusion.

Norway

Coach: Thorir Hergeirsson

Key Players: Stine Oftedal (centre back), Katrine Lunde (goalkeeper), Henny Reistad (left back)

Qualification for Paris 2024: 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship: Runners-up

Previous appearances: 1988: Silver medal, 1992: Silver medal, 1996: 4th, 2000: Bronze medal, 2008: Champions, 2012: Champions, 2016: Bronze medal, 2020: Bronze medal

Group at Paris 2024: Group A: Norway, Germany, Slovenia, Sweden, Denmark, Republic of Korea