# Team Esbjerg

Team Esbjerg is a professional women's handball team based in Esbjerg, Denmark, that competes in the Bambusa Kvindeligaen and the 2024–25 Women's EHF Champions League. They play their home matches in Blue Water Dokken, which have capacity for 2,996 spectators. They play games in red shirts and black shorts.
The coaching team consists of Swedish international Tomas Axnér and Christian Køhler.

## History

Team Esbjerg was founded in 1991, as a cooperation between KVIK Esbjerg and Esbjerg Håndboldklub (EHK). They compete the Danish Handball League for the first time in 1999, but they relegated the following year. They have been part of the league, since 2004.
They have won the Danish Championship twice. Once in 2016, after beating FC Midtjylland Håndbold in the final. They lost the first final match 20–17, but won the second 24–19, after a dramatic penalty shootout. Again in 2019, they also beat Herning-Ikast Håndbold, in two matches, with the scores 28–20 and 19–20. They also won the Danish Women's Handball Cup in 2017, after beating København Håndbold, with the score 31–20.
Over time, the club has had many notable and significant players, like Rikke Zachariassen, Ulrika Toft Hansen, Lotte Grigel, Gøril Snorroeggen, Maibritt Kviesgaard, Kari Aalvik Grimsbø, Emily Stang Sando, Marta Mangué, Laura van der Heijden, Angelica Wallén, Ida Bjørndalen and Sandra Toft Galsgaard.

## Kits

HOME :
| 2018–20 | 2020- |
AWAY :
| 2015-17 | 2018-19 | 2020- |

## Honours

* EHF Champions League:
** Bronze: 2024
** Semifinalist: 2022, 2023
* EHF Cup:
** Silver: 2014, 2019
* Danish Championship:
** Gold: 2016, 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024
** Silver: 2015, 2022
* Danish Cup
** Winner: 2017, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
** Silver: 2011
** Bronze: 2018
* Danish Super Cup
** Winner: 2015, 2019, 2022

## Arena

* Arena: Blue Water Dokken
* City: Esbjerg
* Capacity: 2,996
* Address: Gl. Vardevej 82, 6700 Esbjerg

## Team
### Current squad

    Squad for the 2024–25 season.
Squad information :
| No. | Player | Position | Date of Birth | In | Contract until |
| 2 | Line Haugsted | Left back | 11 November 1994 | 2024 | 2028 |
| 3 | Kaja Kamp Nielsen | Line Player | 29 April 1994 | 2020 | 2025 |
| 4 | Michala Møller | Centre Back | 16 February 2000 | 2021 | 2026 |
| 7 | Luciana Rebelo | Right Back | 25 July 2005 | 2023 | 2027 |
| 8 | Live Rushfeldt Deila | Centre Back | 15 January 2000 | 2023 | 2026 |
| 9 | Nora Mørk | Right Back | 5 April 1991 | 2022 | 2026 |
| 10 | Kathrine Heindahl | Line Player | 26 March 1992 | 2022 | 2025 |
| 11 | Rikke Iversen | Line Player | 18 May 1993 | 2023 | 2026 |
| 12 | Anna Kristensen | Goalkeeper | 25 October 2000 | 2023 | 2026 |
| 16 | Amalie Milling | Goalkeeper | 27 December 1999 | 2022 | 2025 |
| 17 | Elin Hansson | Left Wing | 7 August 1996 | 2024 | 2026 |
| 18 | Mette Tranborg | Right Back | 1 January 1996 | 2020 | 2025 |
| 20 | Marit Røsberg Jacobsen | Right Wing | 25 February 1994 | 2018 | 2026 |
| 24 | Sanna Solberg-Isaksen | Left Wing | 16 June 1990 | 2017 | 2026 |
| 25 | Henny Reistad | Left Back | 9 February 1999 | 2021 | 2027 |
| 27 | Anne Tolstrup Petersen | Right Wing | 7 March 1995 | 2022 | 2026 |

### Transfers

    Transfers for the season 2025–26

### Technical staff

* Head coach: Tomas Axnér
* Assistant coach: Christian Køhler
* Goalkeeping coach: Tim Winkler
* Sportdirector: Thomas Hylle
* Teamleader: Helle Kongsbak
* Physiotherapist: Kenneth Hansen
* Physiotherapist: Daniel Bargsteen
* Video: Jes Juncker-Jensen

### Former notable players

* Sandra Toft (2017–2019)
* Rikke Poulsen (2019–2023)
* Stine Bodholt Nielsen (2014–2016)
* Rikke Schmidt (2012–2014)
* Lotte Grigel (2008–2015)
* Maibritt Kviesgaard (2013–2018)
* Rikke Zachariassen (2006–2018)
* Annette Jensen (2018–2022)
* Maria Mose Vestergaard (2014–2019)
* Elma Halilcevic (2017–2021)
* Kari Aalvik Grimsbø (2010–2015)
* Kristine Breistøl (2018–2024)
* Vilde Ingstad (2016–2023)
* Marit Malm Frafjord (2018–2022)
* Siri Seglem (2007–2009)
* Emily Stang Sando (2013–2017)
* Gøril Snorroeggen (2010–2013)
* Betina Riegelhuth (2015–2016)
* Ida Bjørndalen Karlsson (2014–2018)
* Ine Karlsen Stangvik (2017–2018)
* Rikke Granlund (2018–2021)
* Julie Bøe Jacobsen (2022–2024)
* Johanna Ahlm (2013–2015)
* Angelica Wallén (2010–2013)
* Filippa Idéhn (2015–2017)
* Jenny Alm (2015–2017)
* Jessica Helleberg (2011–2013)
* Anna-Maria Johansson (2009–2011)
* Ulrika Toft Hansen (2015–2018)
* Clara Monti Danielsson (2018–2020)
* Marta Mangué (2007–2011)
* Lara González Ortega (2016–2018)
* Nerea Pena (2020–2021)
* Estavana Polman (2013–2022)
* Laura van der Heijden (2014–2017)
* Katarina Tomašević (2007–2009)
* Kristina Liščević (2017–2019)
* Arna Sif Pálsdóttir (2010–2011)
* Rut Arnfjörð Jónsdóttir (2017–2020)
* Paule Baudouin (2008–2010)
* Mouna Chebbah (2008–2010)
* Sonja Frey (2019–2021)
* Dinah Eckerle (2021–2023)
* Kelsi Fairbrother (2010–2013)
* Beyza Irem Türkoglu (2021–2023)
* Beatrix Benyáts (2004–2006)

## Head coach history

| Thomas Hylle | 1997–2002 |
| Jan Leslie | 2004–2006 |
| Thomas Hørlyk | 2006–2007 |
| Teddy Barrett | 2007–2008 |
| Jan Paulsen | 2008–2011 |
| Lars Frederiksen | 2011–2017 |
| Jesper Jensen | 2017–2024 |
| Tomas Axnér | 2024–present |

## European record
### Champions League

| Season | Competition | Round | Club | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Aggregate |
| 2015–16 | EHF Champions League | Qualification tournament | Yenimahalle Bld. SK | 32–28 | 32–28 | 32–28 |
| 2015–16 | EHF Champions League | Qualification tournament | HCM Baia Mare | 21–32 | 21–32 | 21–32 |
| 2016–17 | EHF Champions League | Group Stage Group D | RK Krim | 35–25 | 22–27 | 3rd place |
| 2016–17 | EHF Champions League | Group Stage Group D | Larvik HK | 29–30 | 24–31 | 3rd place |
| 2016–17 | EHF Champions League | Group Stage Group D | IK Sävehof | 29–18 | 25–20 | 3rd place |
| 2016–17 | EHF Champions League | Main Round Group 2 | CSM București | 20–25 | 25–33 | 6th place |
| 2016–17 | EHF Champions League | Main Round Group 2 | Győri ETO KC | 26–32 | 22–33 | 6th place |
| 2016–17 | EHF Champions League | Main Round Group 2 | Midtjylland | 22–21 | 26–38 | 6th place |
| 2019–20 | EHF Champions League | Group Stage Group B | Rostov-Don | 31–26 | 26–34 | 2nd place |
| 2019–20 | EHF Champions League | Group Stage Group B | CSM București | 22–24 | 25–21 | 2nd place |
| 2019–20 | EHF Champions League | Group Stage Group B | MKS Perła Lublin | 35–22 | 28–22 | 2nd place |
| 2019–20 | EHF Champions League | Main Round Group 1 | Metz Handball | 30–29 | 31–31 | 2nd place |
| 2019–20 | EHF Champions League | Main Round Group 1 | Vipers Kristiansand | 35–30 | 35–31 | 2nd place |
| 2019–20 | EHF Champions League | Main Round Group 1 | Ferencvárosi TC | 29–27 | 25–26 | 2nd place |
| 2019–20 | EHF Champions League | Quarterfinals | Budućnost Podgorica | Cancelled |
| 2020–21 | Champions League | Group Stage Group A | Metz Handball | 25–28 | 29–31 | 6th place |
| 2020–21 | Champions League | Group Stage Group A | Rostov-Don | 24–25 | 24–28 | 6th place |
| 2020–21 | Champions League | Group Stage Group A | Vipers Kristiansand | 27–27 | 28–28 | 6th place |
| 2020–21 | Champions League | Group Stage Group A | Ferencvárosi TC | 21–24 | 28–24 | 6th place |
| 2020–21 | Champions League | Group Stage Group A | CSM București | 29–30 | 26–28 | 6th place |
| 2020–21 | Champions League | Group Stage Group A | SG BBM Bietigheim | 37–29 | 33–26 | 6th place |
| 2020–21 | Champions League | Group Stage Group A | RK Krim | 33–23 | 10–0 | 6th place |
| 2020–21 | Champions League | Round of 16 | Brest Bretagne Handball | 27–33 | 27–30 | 54–63 |
| 2021–22 | Champions League | Group stage Group A | Brest Bretagne Handball | 28–28 | 23–26 | 1st place |
| 2021–22 | Champions League | Group stage Group A | FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria | 33–27 | 31–31 | 1st place |
| 2021–22 | Champions League | Group stage Group A | Budućnost BEMAX | 35–20 | 36–25 | 1st place |
| 2021–22 | Champions League | Group stage Group A | CSM București | 22–21 | 29–29 | 1st place |
| 2021–22 | Champions League | Group stage Group A | BV Borussia 09 Dortmund | 34–24 | 32–29 | 1st place |
| 2021–22 | Champions League | Group stage Group A | Rostov-Don | 25–18 | 27–25 | 1st place |
| 2021–22 | Champions League | Group stage Group A | HC Podravka Vegeta | 30–17 | 27–26 | 1st place |
| 2021–22 | Champions League | Quarterfinals | CSM București | 27–27 | 26–25 | 53–52 |
| 2021–22 | Champions League | Semifinal | Győri Audi ETO KC | 27–32 |
| 2021–22 | Champions League | Bronze match | Metz Handball | 26–32 |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | Győri Audi ETO KC | 29–31 | 28–29 | 3rd |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | Metz Handball | 35–28 | 24–26 | 3rd |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | CS Rapid București | 32–34 | 35–30 | 3rd |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica | 28–23 | 30–20 | 3rd |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | Storhamar HE | 35–25 | 34–25 | 3rd |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | Kastamonu Bld. GSK | 43–27 | 39–31 | 3rd |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | RK Lokomotiva Zagreb | 30–18 | 33–20 | 3rd |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Playoffs | Brest Bretagne | 28–25 | 27–24 | 55–49 |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Quarter-finals | CSM București | 32–28 | 33–31 | 65–59 |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Semifinal | Ferencvárosi TC | 29–30 | 29–30 | 29–30 |
| 2022–23 | EHF Champions League | Bronze match | Győri Audi ETO KC | 27–28 | 27–28 | 27–28 |
| 2023–24 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | Metz Handball | 29–27 | 31–36 | 2nd |
| 2023–24 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | Vipers Kristiansand | 38–37 | 32–37 | 2nd |
| 2023–24 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | CS Rapid București | 30–28 | 33–24 | 2nd |
| 2023–24 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | FTC-Rail Cargo Hungaria | 27–23 | 33–28 | 2nd |
| 2023–24 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | Zagłębie Lubin | 36–24 | 32–26 | 2nd |
| 2023–24 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | RK Krim Mercator | 27–33 | 29–21 | 2nd |
| 2023–24 | EHF Champions League | Group stage Group B | Ikast Håndbold | 35–34 | 37–34 | 2nd |
| 2023–24 | EHF Champions League | Quarter-finals | Ferencvárosi TC | 29–24 | 26–25 | 55–49 |
| 2023–24 | EHF Champions League | Semifinal | Győri ETO KC | 23–24 | 23–24 | 23–24 |
| 2023–24 | EHF Champions League | Bronze match | Metz Handball | 37–33 | 37–33 | 37–33 |
| 2024–25 | EHF Champions League | Group B | Vipers Kristiansand | 30–29 | 10–0 | 2nd |
| 2024–25 | EHF Champions League | Group B | ŽRK Budućnost Podgorica | 27–23 | 26–19 | 2nd |
| 2024–25 | EHF Champions League | Group B | HB Ludwigsburg | 36–31 | 30–30 | 2nd |
| 2024–25 | EHF Champions League | Group B | Győri Audi ETO KC | 26–28 | 23–29 | 2nd |
| 2024–25 | EHF Champions League | Group B | Brest Bretagne Handball | 32–33 | 36–27 | 2nd |
| 2024–25 | EHF Champions League | Group B | CS Rapid București | 39–32 | 28–26 | 2nd |
| 2024–25 | EHF Champions League | Group B | Odense Håndbold | 39–30 | 32–23 | 2nd |
| 2024–25 | EHF Champions League | Quarter-finals | | | | |

### EHF Cup

| Season | Competition | Round | Club | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Aggregate |
| 2010–11 | EHF Cup | Round 3 | Buxtehuder SV | 28–23 | 25–29 | 53–52 |
| 2010–11 | EHF Cup | Last 16 | HC Dunărea Brăila | 25–22 | 21–20 | 46–42 |
| 2010–11 | EHF Cup | Quarterfinals | FC Midtjylland | 21–27 | 29–24 | 50–51 |
| 2011–12 | EHF Cup | Round 3 | Anagennisi Arta | 31–15 | 36–14 | 67–29 |
| 2011–12 | EHF Cup | Last 16 | Team Tvis Holstebro | 28–27 | 24–27 | 52–54 |
| 2013–14 | EHF Cup | Round 3 | RK Radnički Kragujevac | 26–26 | 28–24 | 54–50 |
| 2013–14 | EHF Cup | Last 16 | DHK Baník Most | 28–26 | 28–21 | 56–47 |
| 2013–14 | EHF Cup | Quarterfinals | Dinamo Volgograd | 36–27 | 30–26 | 66–63 |
| 2013–14 | EHF Cup | Semifinals | Alba Fehérvár KC | 24–25 | 27–26 | 51–51 (a) |
| 2013–14 | EHF Cup | Final | HC Lada | 32–32 | 25–36 | 57–68 |
| 2014–15 | EHF Cup | Round 3 | RŽK Zagorje | 35–26 | 33–22 | 68–48 |
| 2014–15 | EHF Cup | Last 16 | H 65 Höör | 33–25 | 33–28 | 66–53 |
| 2014–15 | EHF Cup | Quarterfinals | Érd NK | 28–29 | 20–28 | 48–57 |
| 2018–19 | EHF Cup | Round 3 | Paris 92 | 29–28 | 31–25 | 60–53 |
| 2018–19 | EHF Cup | Group A | Storhamar HE | 25–20 | 28–28 | 1st place |
| 2018–19 | EHF Cup | Group A | SG BBM Bietigheim | 28–27 | 32–27 | 1st place |
| 2018–19 | EHF Cup | Group A | CS Măgura Cisnădie | 41–18 | 32–19 | 1st place |
| 2018–19 | EHF Cup | Quarterfinals | HC Kuban Krasnodar | 37–24 | 37–31 | 74–55 |
| 2018–19 | EHF Cup | Semifinals | Herning-Ikast Håndbold | 30–16 | 23–20 | 53–36 |
| 2018–19 | EHF Cup | Final | Siófok KC | 21–21 | 21–26 | 42–47 |

### EHF Cup Winners' Cup

| Season | Competition | Round | Club | 1st leg | 2nd leg | Aggregate |
| EHF Cup Winners' Cup | 2012–13 | Round 3 | Quintus | 36–25 | 26–23 | 62–48 |
| EHF Cup Winners' Cup | 2012–13 | Last 16 | Rostov-Don | 28–31 | 28–29 | 56–60 |
| EHF Cup Winners' Cup | 2015–16 | Round 3 | Ardeşen GSK | 30–26 | 22–31 | 52–57 |