{{short description|Danish handball club}} {{Use dmy dates|date=June 2020}} {{Infobox handball club | image = 155px | full name = Kolding Idrætsforening Håndbold | nickname = | founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|1941|3|14}} | ground = Sydbank Arena | capacity = 5,100 | chairman = Christian Phillip | manager = Julie Loop and Anders Eggert | league = 1st Division | season = 2025–26 | position = 1st Division, 2nd of 14 (promotion) | website = https://www.kif.dk/ }}
'''KIF Kolding''' is a professional handball club based in Kolding, Denmark who competes in the Danish Handball League. KIF Kolding has won the Danish Handball Championship a record 14 times.
It is a part of the broader sports association Kolding Idræts Forening.
==History==
===KIF Kolding=== KIF Handball was formed in 1941 and quickly became a popular feature in the city. In the 1950's a sports venue specifically for handball was built.
It was promoted to the Danish 1st division (the highest league at the time) in 1984 and was relegated again for 41 years.<ref name=relegation />
KIF Kolding won its first Danish Handball Championship in 1987. From 1987 to 2009 KIF won the Danish Handball Championship 12 times.
In 1998 the professional first team became an independent company under the name "Kolding IF Håndbold Elite A/S" in order to better manage the economic risks of being a professional club.
In the summer of 2011 the women team of the club became an independent club called Vejen EH.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sport.tv2.dk/haandbold/2017-02-11-de-satsede-og-fejlede-haandbold-projekternes-store-kirkegaard|publisher=TV2 Danmark|website=sport.tv2.dk|title=De satsede og fejlede: Håndbold-projekternes store kirkegård|first=Jonas|last=Sauermilch|date=11 February 2017|accessdate=22 January 2025|language=DA|trans-title=They gambled and lost: The grand graveyard of the handball projects}}</ref> Vejen EH did however go bankrupt in 2014 and ceased to exists.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sport.tv2.dk/2014-04-28-konkurs-vejen-lukker-og-slukker|publisher=TV2 Danmark|website=sport.tv2.dk|title=Konkurs: Vejen lukker og slukker|first=Mikkel|last=Secher|date=28 April 2014|accessdate=22 January 2025|language=DA|trans-title=Bankruptcy: Vejen closes}}</ref>
===KIF Kolding København=== KIF Kolding København was formed in August 2012 after AG København went bankrupt. Some of the players from AG København joined the players from KIF, most notably the national team players, Lars Jørgensen, Kasper Hvidt and Joachim Boldsen. This prompted some of AGK's sponsors to also joined KIF under the new name.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.tvsyd.dk/kolding/hard-kamp-om-handboldfusion|publisher=TV Syd|title=Hård kamp om håndboldfusion|first=Ernst|last=Møller|date=17 August 2012|accessdate=22 January 2025|language=DA|trans-title=Hard fought battle about handball fusion}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.dr.dk/nyheder/regionale/trekanten/kif-kolding-koebenhavn-fem-aar-med-sportslig-succes-og-oekonomisk|publisher=Danmarks Radio|title=KIF Kolding København: Fem år med sportslig succes og økonomisk miskmask|first1=Poul|last1=Sørensen|first2=Peter|last2=Frandsen Siggaard|date=9 May 2012|accessdate=22 January 2025|language=DA|trans-title=KIF Kolding København:Sporting success and economic mishmash}}</ref> KIF Kolding København played some home games in Kolding and some in Brøndby. KIF won the Danish Handball Championship 2 times under the name KIF Kolding København.
===KIF Kolding=== On 31 March 2018 KIF announced in a press release, that the club will drop the Copenhagen part of the club and will again be known as KIF Kolding.<ref name=hjem>{{cite news|url=https://www.dr.dk/sporten/haandbold/herreligaen/hjem-til-kolding-kif-bryder-koebenhavn-baand|publisher=Danmarks Radio|website=dr.dk/sporten|title=Hjem til Kolding: KIF bryder København-bånd|date=31 May 2018|accessdate=22 January 2025|language=DA|trans-title=Home to Kolding: KIF Kolding cuts ties to Copenhagen}}</ref> The national team profiles Lars Jørgensen, Kasper Hvidt and Joachim Boldsen, who all came from AG København, had been able to create interest from fans and sponsors in the capital area, but since they had retired, the number of spectators in Brøndby Hallen had begun to fall as a consequence. This started the debate to focus on Kolding alone.<ref name=hjem/>
A new board was established and long time director Jens Boessen stepped down. 9 million DKK was invested into the club and old creditors written off debt of 11 million DKK.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://sport.tv2.dk/haandbold/2018-05-31-kif-bekraefter-nyt-navn-millionindsproejtning-og-farvel-til-jens-boesen | title=KIF bekræfter nyt navn, millionindsprøjtning og farvel til Jens Boesen | date=31 May 2018 | language=da | first=Christopher | last=Roth | publisher=TV 2 Sport |access-date=31 May 2018}}</ref>
In the 2021-22 season the club was mere 7 seconds from relegation, when Peter Balling secured a draw against TTH Holstebro, which kept them safe.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bt.dk/haandbold/drama-i-de-sidste-sekunder-kif-kolding-kan-stadig-overleve|publisher=B.T.|title=Drama i de sidste sekunder: KIF Kolding kan stadig overleve|date=9 April 2025|language=da|access-date=12 April 2025}}</ref> They finished with 19 points, the same amount as relegated TMS Ringsted, but they had a better head-to-head record.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flashscore.com/handball/denmark/herre-handbold-ligaen-2021-2022/standings/#/lSsLrQnq/table/overall|publisher=flashscore|title=Herre Handbold Ligaen 2021/2022}}</ref> The team would continue to be involved in relegation battles the following seasons.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sport.tv2.dk/haandbold/2025-04-12-farvel-til-danmarks-mest-vindende-haandboldklub|publisher=TV2 Danmark|website=sport.tv2.dk|title=Farvel til Danmarks mest vindende håndboldklub|author=Bent Nyegaard|date=12 April 2025|access-date=12 April 2025|language=da}}</ref>
In the 2024-25 season KIF Kolding where relegated after 41 years continuously in the top flight, after finishing last in the regular season.<ref name=relegation>{{cite news|url=https://sport.tv2.dk/haandbold/2025-04-12-kolding-rykker-ned-for-foerste-gang-i-41-aar|publisher=TV2 Danmark|website=sport.tv2.dk|title=Kolding rykker ned for første gang i 41 år|date=12 April 2025|access-date=12 April 2025|language=da}}</ref> They won a sole 2 matches during the season, gaining 10 points.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.flashscore.dk/handbold/danmark/herre-handbold-ligaen/tabeloversigt/#/SMXT1Kr6/table/overall|publisher=flashscore|title=Herre Håndbold Ligaen 2024/2025|access-date=12 April 2025}}</ref> During the season they fired no less than two head coaches, Sebastian Seifert and Kristian Kristensen.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sport.tv2.dk/haandbold/2025-03-31-kif-kolding-fyrer-cheftraeneren|publisher=TV2 Danmark|website=sport.tv2.dk|title=KIF Kolding fyrer cheftræneren|date=31 March 2025|access-date=12 April 2025|language=da}}</ref> After the season they also fired the director, Christian Hjermind.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://sport.tv2.dk/haandbold/2025-04-14-kif-kolding-fyrer-direktoer|publisher=TV2 Danmark|website=sport.tv2.dk|title=KIF Kolding fyrer direktør|date=14 April 2025|access-date=14 April 2025|author1=Oliver Orup Kristensen| author2=Rasmus Lomholt Leth|language=da}}</ref>
A year later they were promoted again, when they finished second behind Skive fH and beat Aarhus Håndbold and HØJ Elite in the relegation play-off.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://sport.tv2.dk/live/haandbold/2025-09-14-seneste-nyt-fra-em-dansk-og-international-haandbold/kolding-rykker-op-og-sender-hoj-ned?entry=b8eb1809-99f2-4b46-8c24-4e00a13a023e|publisher=TV2 Danmark|title=Kolding rykker op og sender HØJ ned|date=10 May 2026|access-date=10 May 2026|language=da}}</ref>
===KIF Vamdrup=== In 2007 KIF Vamdrup was created as union between KIF Kolding and Vamdrup IF, which was intended as a 2nd team for KIF Kolding.{{cn|date=April 2025}}
==Honours== *'''Danish Handball League:''' 14 (record) **{{gold medal}}:1986–87, 1987–88, 1989–90, 1990–91, 1992–93, 1993–94, 2000–01, 2001–02, 2002–03, 2004–05, 2005–06, 2008–09, 2013–14, 2014–15 *'''Danish Handball Cup:''' 8 **{{gold medal}}:1989–90, 1993–94, 1998–99, 2001–02, 2004–05, 2006–07, 2007–08, 2012–13 * '''Double''' : '''Winners (4)''': 1989–90, 1993–94, 2001–02, 2004–05 * '''Danish Super Cup''' **{{gold medal}}: 2014, 2015
==Team==
===Current squad=== :''Squad for the 2025-26 season''
{{Col-begin}} {{Col-2}} ;Goalkeeper * {{0}}1 {{flagicon|DEN}} Emil Tellerup * 12 {{flagicon|DEN}} Markus Howe Madsen * 16 {{flagicon|DEN}} Thorsten Fries ;Wingers ;LW * {{0}}4 {{flagicon|DEN}} Lars Skaarup * 22 {{flagicon|DEN}} Mads Larsson ;RW * 27 {{flagicon|DEN}} Sebastian Bertelsen * 28 {{flagicon|DEN}} Andreas Aagren ;Line players * {{0}}2 {{flagicon|DEN}} Mads Kragh Thomsen * {{0}}6 {{flagicon|DEN}} Jonas Bruus Tidemand * 18 {{flagicon|DEN}} Benjamin Pedersen {{Col-2}}
;Back players ;LB * {{0}}9 {{flagicon|DEN}} Mads Hoé Jørgensen * 11 {{flagicon|DEN}} Cornelius Kragh Aastrup * 17 {{flagicon|DEN}} Tobias Ellebæk 15px ;CB * 15 {{flagicon|DEN}} Jens Svane Peschardt (c) * 21 {{flagicon|DEN}} Kristian Stoklund * 23 {{flagicon|SWE}} Viktor Ahlstrand ;RB * 25 {{flagicon|DEN}} Markus Bugge 15px {{Col-end}}
===Transfers=== :''Transfers for the season 2026-27'' {{col-begin}} {{col-2}} ;File:Arrow-up.png Joining * {{flagicon|DEN}} Victor Bang (GK) from {{flagicon|SWE}} IFK Kristianstad * {{flagicon|DEN}} Rasmus Storm Jensen (GK) from {{flagicon|DEN}} Fredericia HK * {{flagicon|DEN}} Mathias Kragh (LW) from {{flagicon|DEN}} Nordsjælland Håndbold * {{flagicon|DEN}} Hjalte Langmack (CB) from {{flagicon|DEN}} GOG Håndbold U19 * {{flagicon|DEN}} Kristoffer Vestergaard (RB) (from {{flagicon|DEN}} Mors-Thy Håndbold) * {{flagicon|DEN}} Valdemar Hermansen (P) from {{flagicon|DEN}} HC Midtjylland
{{col-2}}
;File:Arrow-down.gif Leaving * {{flagicon|DEN}} Thorsten Fries (GK) to {{flagicon|DEN}} SønderjyskE * {{flagicon|DEN}} Emil Tellerup (GK) to ? * {{flagicon|DEN}} Tobias Ellebæk (LB) to {{flagicon|DEN}} Elitesport Vendsyssel * {{flagicon|DEN}} Jens Svane Peschardt (CB) to {{flagicon|AUT}} Alpla HC Hard * {{flagicon|DEN}} Kristian Stoklund (CB) to ? * {{flagicon|DEN}} Jonas Bruus Tidemand (P) to ? {{col-end}}
===Staff=== {| class="wikitable" style="text-align: left;" !valign=center |Pos.||Name |- |- |Head coach||{{flagicon|DEN}} Anders Eggert and Julie Loop |- |Assistant coach||{{flagicon|DEN}} Kristian Danielsen |- |Goalkeeper coach||{{flagicon|DEN}} Anders Petersen |- |Team Leader||{{flagicon|DEN}} Anders Skøtt Bruun |- |Physiotherapist||{{flagicon|DEN}} Morten U. Olesen |- |}
==Notable former players== '''Men''' {{div col|colwidth=22em}} *{{flagicon|DEN}} Bo Spellerberg *{{flagicon|DEN}} Boris Schnuchel *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Christian Hjermind *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Claus Flensborg *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Henrik Møllgaard *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Jesper Nøddesbo *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Joachim Boldsen *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Kasper Hvidt *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Lars Christiansen *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Lars Krogh Jeppesen *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Lars T. Jørgensen *{{flagicon|DEN}} Lasse Andersson *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Lasse Boesen *{{flagicon|DEN}} Magnus Landin Jacobsen *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Rene Toft Hansen *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Torsten Laen *{{flagicon|Spain}} Albert Rocas *{{flagicon|Spain}} Mateo Garralda *{{flagicon|Spain}} Niko Mindegía *{{flagicon|Spain}} Antonio García Robledo *{{flagicon|Brazil}} Fábio Chiuffa *{{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} Bilal Šuman *{{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} Muhamed Toromanović *{{flagicon|Serbia}} Ratko Nikolić *{{flagicon|Russia}} Konstantin Igropulo *{{flagicon|Norway}} Ole Erevik (2008-2011) *{{flagicon|Norway}} Petter Øverby *{{flagicon|Sweden}} Fredrik Ohlander *{{flagicon|Sweden}} Kim Andersson *{{flagicon|SWE}} Philip Stenmalm *{{Flagicon|ISL}} Ólafur Stefánsson {{div col end}}
==Notable former coaches== *{{flagicon|Bosnia and Herzegovina}} Bilal Šuman *{{flagicon|Iceland}} Aron Kristjánsson *{{flagicon|Spain}} Antonio Carlos Ortega *{{flagicon|Sweden}} Ingemar Linnéll *{{flagicon|Denmark}} Henrik Kronborg *{{flagicon|Sweden}} Ulf Sivertsson
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{official website|https://www.kif.dk/}}
{{Danish Men's Handball League teamlist}} {{Danish Woman's Handball League teamlist}}
Category:Handball clubs in Denmark Category:Sport in Kolding Category:Handball clubs established in 1941 Category:1941 establishments in Denmark Category:Kolding IF