Queen of the ball!

Camilla Herrem was perhaps the most well-known Norwegian in the handball World Cup in China. Not only did she come away from the World Cup with a bronze medal, but named to the All Star Team. Photo: Gorm Kallestad

When Camilla Herrem arrived at the banquet, she was all smiles, even though she was in tears just two hours earlier.

“Me on the All Star Team? This is absolutely indescribable,” said a sparkling Camilla Herrem as the party-clad women’s handball team arrived on the 55th floor at Shangmao Century Plaza. The Norwegian women’s handball team lost 28-20 against Russia on Dec. 18 in China, but won the bronze medal in their final match against Spain.

Herrem, from Byåsen, started the World Cup on the right foot, got a little down, and then straightened up her game. If the jury was in doubt about who they should have on the left wing of the All Star team, Herrem’s efforts in the bronze medal match shows that she earned her place. She scored six goals in six attempts against Spain.

“I don’t feel that I am on the same levels to be on the All Star team. There were tears and an avalanche of emotions when I was called up,” said Herrem, who was joined by “the world’s best handball player,” Linn-Kristin Riegelhuth on the same list.

Silver medal team France, bronze medal team Norway, and fourth place Spain had two players each on the All Star team, while world champion Russia had only keeper Inna Suslina. In addition, Ludmila Postnova was named Most Valuable Player of the World Cup, and was not named to the All Star team.