“2023 Marks the End of Three Consecutive LŠ Celebrations as Vipers Play Final Match in Podgorica”
Bojana Popović and Katrin Lunde after the last match of Vipers, Photo: Dejan Starčević/ŽRK Budućnost
Words escape me; my heart is shattered – these sentiments expressed by legendary goalkeeper Katrin Lunde encapsulate the sorrowful news that has reverberated throughout the handball community today.
The Norwegian Vipers, an organization that reigned supreme in women’s handball between 2021 and 2023, having clinched the Champions League title three consecutive times during that era, has officially ceased operations as of today.
The narrative surrounding the club’s closure due to financial difficulties has been ongoing throughout the season, culminating just two days after their loss to Budućnost in “Morača” (26:20). This match, remembered as the final outing of the formidable handball club, drew an audience of only 200 fans in Podgorica.
“With great sadness, we must announce that the Board of Directors of Vipers has made the decision to dissolve the club and enter bankruptcy. This step was taken following a comprehensive evaluation of our financial status and the absence of viable options for continuation. The decision was primarily prompted by the lack of operational financial guarantees for the upcoming season, along with a significant liquidity crisis,” Vipers stated, as reported by “VG”.
Kare Geir Lio, president of the Norwegian Handball Association, remarked that this marks a tragic day for the sport in Norway.
“I believe the long-standing mismanagement of the club has caused the decline of club handball,” Lio stressed.
There were those who were not shocked by this announcement.
“Honestly, I’m not surprised,” shared former Vipers coach Gunar Petersen.
“When things began to unravel last autumn, many of us recognized that the club’s operational model was unsustainable given the salaries in play,” Petersen noted.
photo: Dejan Starčević/ŽRK Budućnost
The dissolution of Vipers signifies yet another chapter in history for a giant club that has struggled, a situation Bojana Popović had previously addressed in the media prior to the matchup with the Norwegians. This incident serves as a stark reminder to all those responsible for the future of the two-time European champions.
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