Norway’s beach handball team have shown off their stunning physiques in skimpy swimsuits on social media, after last week being fined £1,300 for refusing to wear bikinis while competing.
The Disciplinary Committee of the European Handball Federation (EHF) on Monday fined the team 1,500 euros (£1,300), or 150 euros (£130) per player.
The fine comes after they wore shorts – instead of the bikini bottoms required by International Handball Federation’s (IHF) rules – in their bronze-medal match loss to Spain at the European Beach Handball Championship in Bulgaria on Sunday.
The team have been widely supported in Norway and internationally – with Abid Raja, the country’s Minister for Culture and Sports branding the fine ‘completely ridiculous’.
‘What a change of attitude is needed in the macho and conservative international world of sport.,’ he said.
Players Tonya Lurstaad and Julia Bird defended their move as they appeared on Lorraine today telling guest host Ranvir Singh they had wanted to swap the skimpy outfit for a uniform similar to the men’s shorts and t-shirts ‘for a long time’ and adding: ‘We wanted to make a statement and change the regulation.’
But off the pitch the ladies have no issue slipping into a two-piece and have shared dozen of snaps scantily-clad in a two-piece.
Just before jetting off to the European Championships for the game, player Susanne Denise Pettersen, 25, shared a snap from an idyllic pool in Skein, Norway and showed off her tan in a bright orange bikini as she floated in a pool.
Elsewhere, Martine Welfler 29, has shared a gorgeous picture showing off her lithe limbs and washboard abs. One shot, of her in holiday in Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands shows her in a black bikini on a pier infront of a luscious mountainous backdrop.
Just before jetting off to the European championships for the game, player Susanne Denise Pettersen, 25, shared a snap from an idyllic pool in Skein, Norway and showed off her tan in a bright orange bikini as she floated in a pool.
Another showed the 6ft tall player relaxing in a inflatable flamingo as she made the most of the summer sun.
Elsewhere, Martine Welfler 29, has shared a gorgeous picture showing off her lithe limbs and washboard abs.
One shot, of her in holiday in Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands shows her in a black bikini on a pier in front of a luscious mountainous backdrop.
The Disciplinary Committee of the European Handball Federation (EHF) on Monday fined the team 1,500 euros (£1,300), or 150 euros (£130) per player. The fine comes after they wore shorts – instead of the bikini bottoms required by International Handball Federation’s (IHF) rules – in their bronze-medal match loss to Spain at the European Beach Handball Championship in Bulgaria on Sunday. Pictured in their shorts
The team (pictured in 2017) usually wear bikini bottoms to play – but refused to saying there’s no place for them in 2021
Meanwhile, Elisabeth Hammerstad, 28, who works as a physiotherapist when she’s not representing her country, has shared pictures splashing in the sea in a tiny two-piece, while she’s also posed atop a catamaran in a bikini. In another the star player clutched a glass in a hot tub while surrounded by friends, saying it was one of ‘thousands’ she took.
Clearly not afraid to show off her lean physique, she’s also posed on beaches in Turkey and has no shortage of golden hour shots on a balcony.
Meanwhile, Elisabeth Hammerstad, 28, who works as a physiotherapist when she’s not representing her country, has shared pictures splashing in the sea in a tiny two-piece, while she’s also posed atop a catamaran in a bikini.
In another the star player clutched a glass in a hot tub while surrounded by friends, saying it was one of ‘thousands’ she took.
Martine Welfler has shared bikini shots from her travels around the world, including in Thailand’s Phi Phi Islands (right)
Clearly not afraid to show off her lean physique, she’s also posed on beaches in Turkey and has no shortage of golden hour shots on a balcony
Another showed the 6ft tall player Susanne Denise Pettersen relaxing in a inflatable flamingo as she made the most of the summer sun.
Just like her teammate Thea Granlund, 26, from Oslo, has shared snaps against stunning blue seas showing off her athlete’s figure.
One shows her is a matching black two-piece while in another she’s shown on in a red bandeau and string bottom watching the tide come in.
Another player, Thina Helene Kolås Øyesvold has also shared sunbathing snaps against exotic backdrops, as well as walking in the sea, and relaxing on a hammock.
Just like her teammate Thea Granlund, 26, from Oslo, has shared snaps against stunning blue seas showing off her athlete’s figure.
One shows her is a matching black two-piece while in another she’s shown on in a red bandeau and string bottom watching the tide come in
Another player, Thina Helene Kolås Øyesvold has also shared sunbathing snaps against exotic backdrops, as well as walking in the sea, and relaxing on a hammock.
Thina Helene Kolås Øyesvold is pictured on a hammock. Clothing has long been an issue in beach sports, with some women players finding bikinis degrading or impractical.
While bikinis have not been compulsory for beach volleyball players since 2012, IHF rules state ‘female athletes must wear bikini bottoms’ and that these must have ‘a close fit’, be ‘cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg’ and a side depth of no more than 10 centimetres. Thina Helene Kolås Øyesvold is pictured
Clothing has long been an issue in beach sports, with some women players finding bikinis degrading or impractical.
While bikinis have not been compulsory for beach volleyball players since 2012, IHF rules state ‘female athletes must wear bikini bottoms’ and that these must have ‘a close fit’, be ‘cut on an upward angle toward the top of the leg’ and a side depth of no more than 10 centimetres.
Male players wear shorts.
Ahead of the European Championship, Norway approached the European Handball Federation to ask for permission to play in shorts, but were told that breaches of the rules were punishable by fines.
They complied, until their last match.