Hammerseng started her handball career in 1990 at Gjøvik HK (1990–1995). She later played one year for Raufoss IL (1995–1996) and one year for Vardal IF (1996–1997) before starting her senior career in 1997 for Gjøvik og Vardal HK (1997–2003). Hammerseng was Gjøvik og Vardal's captain during her six seasons with the club. In 2003, after serious economic problems at her hometown club, Hammerseng signed with Danish top club Ikast-Bording, since November 2008 called FC Midtjylland Håndbold.[2][3] Gro stayed 7 years in Denmark playing for the Danish club FC Midtjylland Håndbold, but on 17 February 2010 she signed under a 2-year contract with the Norwegian handball club Larvik HK. Gro has played for Larvik since the 2010/11 season and ended her career after the 2016/2017 season.[4]
Hammerseng-Edin retired from the sport of handball on 21 May 2017, after winning the Grundigligaen finals with Larvik that day.[4][5]
In December 2003, coach Marit Breivik made Hammerseng captain of the team, replacing fellow Gjøvik native Else-Marthe Sørlie Lybekk.[6] The 2003 World Championship was her first competition as captain, but Norway was not successful and finished the championship in sixth place, thus missing the opportunity to participate in the 2004 Summer Olympics. The 2004 European Championship brought her first gold medal with the team.[7] Hammerseng saw her performance recognized as she was voted MVP and member of the All-Star Team of the tournament.
After a serious knee injury kept her out of the court in the 2005/06 season, Gro Hammerseng repeated her 2004 success at the 2006 European Championship in Sweden. She received her second gold medal and was again named MVP and member of the All-Star Team of the tournament.[8] At the 2007 World Championship, Norway was defeated by Russia in the final match, marking the third silver medal for Hammerseng. She was voted into the All-Star Team as best left back.
The 2008 Summer Olympics gave the Norwegians an opportunity for revenge, as they met Russia in the final match. After a comfortable 34–27 win, Hammerseng received her first Olympic gold medal.[9][10]
As of 22 December 2010, she has played 167 games for Norway, scoring 631 goals.[11]
Awards and recognition
2004
MVP - European Championship 2004 (Awarded in December 2004)
All-Star Team: European Championship 2004 - Best Playmaker - (Awarded in December 2004)
2005
All-Star Team: Danish League 2004/05 - Best Playmaker - (Awarded in May 2005)
2006
MVP - European Championship 2006 (Awarded in December 2006)
All-Star Team: European Championship 2006 - Best Playmaker - (Awarded in December 2006)
'Role model' of the year, Norwegian Sports Gala (Awarded in January 2007)
'Team Player' of the year, Norwegian Sports Gala (Awarded in January 2007)
2007
'Snill Pike Statuetten' - Norwegian media photographers (Awarded in March 2007)
Gro Hammerseng began a new relationship with Larvik teammate Anja Edin in the summer of 2010. They married in 2013.[16] Hammerseng gave birth to their first son, Mio in 2012 and their second son, Leo in 2018. In 2014, Hammerseng and her wife published their book, Anja + Gro = Mio, which is about having a child as a lesbian couple.[17]
^Peter Bruun (7 November 2008). "Changes in Ikast". European Handball Federation. Archived from the original on 2 October 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2008.
^Stilson, Tina (19 August 2008). "Hammerseng drømmer om barn" (in Norwegian). Nettavisen.no. Archived from the original on 2 November 2008. Retrieved 17 November 2008.
^Strømsheim, Gro; Sigve Kvamme (23 October 2005). "- Ja, vi er kjærester". Dagbladet (in Norwegian). Retrieved 13 February 2008.
