Kolstad Håndball

Norwegian handball club

Website
Official site

Kolstad Håndball is a Norwegian professional handball club based in Trondheim, that compete in top division of Norwegian handball, REMA 1000-ligaen. Their home grounds is Kolstad Arena and Trondheim Spektrum, which has a seating capacity of 2,500 and 8,900 spectators. With substantial new investment, the club has ambitions to become Norway's top team by 2024.^[1]

The club's supporters group is called Sørsia supporters club, and is an independent club established in 2023.

Kolstad's main rival is Elverum Håndball.

History

Kolstad Handball originates from the district of Saupstad-Kolstad in the southwest of Trondheim and was established on the 5 October 1972, at the same time as the rest of the multi-sports club Kolstad IL. In 2005, a senior team was established on the men's side, and since many players joined the club. In the period 2012 to 2015, Kolstad's senior team developed rapidly, which resulted in Kolstad having a their men's team in the Norwegian top division for the first time in their history from 2015. Since promotion, Kolstad has had record attendances at its home games, and was named Organiser of the Year for the 2015-16 season. ^[2]

During the 2021-22 season, experienced head coach Christian Berge joined the club, as well as a number of high-profile transfers being announced. They began the 2022-23 season by defeating fellow Norwegian side Drammen HK 57–47 on aggregate in the first qualifying round of the EHF European League. In the second qualifying round, they lost 61–60 to Bidasoa Irun. In 2022-23 Kolstad won their first Norwegian cup title, beating archrival Elverum in the final 34–27. In the Norwegian League, they finished first in the regular series, and then also won the final in the playoffs against archrival Elverum.

Achievements

Norwegian League
- Winner: 2022/23, 2023/24
Norwegian League Playoffs
- Winner: 2022/23
Norwegian Cup:
- Winner: 2022/23, 2023/24

Ambition

In 2021, the club secured grocery chain REMA 1000 as their main sponsor, allowing them to secure the signings of a number of star international players, including the THW Kiel centre-back Sander Sagosen, who will join in 2023. Norway head coach Christian Berge began his role at the club in March 2022.^[3]