Daniel Birkelund
Back

Curriculum vitae

Updated November 2026.

Club coaching

  • Jul 2025 – Head Coach, Þór Handbolti (men), professional level, Iceland
  • Jul 2024 – Jun 2025 Head Coach, Lemvig-Thyborøn Håndbold (men), professional level, Denmark
  • May 2021 – May 2024 Head Coach and Sports Director, Skövde HF (women), professional level, Sweden
  • Jun 2020 – Oct 2020 Assistant Coach, Siófok KC (women), professional level, Hungary
  • May 2018 – May 2020 Head Coach, Rælingen HK (women), professional level, Norway
  • Sep 2017 – Apr 2018 Head Coach, Energa Politechnika Koszalin (women), junior level, Poland
  • May 2014 – Mar 2017 Head Coach, Falk Horten (men), professional level, Norway
  • Aug 2010 – May 2011 Head Coach, TIF Viking (women), 3rd level
  • May 2007 – Apr 2009 Head Coach, Nornen HK (men), 2nd / 3rd level
  • May 2005 – Apr 2007 Assistant Coach, Stord HK (men), professional level; Head Coach, B and junior team
  • May 2004 – Apr 2005 Head Coach, Årstad IL (women), 2nd level
  • May 2001 – Apr 2004 Assistant Coach, Bjørnar IL (women), professional level; Head Coach, B and junior team
  • 1995 – 2001 Head Coach, Årstad IL youth and junior teams

National teams, Norway

  • Aug 2011 – Aug 2013 Head Coach, boys U17 (born 96–97)
  • Aug 2013 Coach, girls U17 (born 96–97), short term
  • Sep 2009 – Aug 2011 Coach, men’s U21 (born 90–91)
  • Mar 2009 – Aug 2009 Coach, men’s U21 (born 88–89)

Other coaching

  • 2007 – 2014 Head Coach for handball, Gymnasium for Top Sports, Bergen
  • 2004 – 2013 Regional and development coach, girls and boys, Norwegian Handball Federation

Coach education and development work

  • 2022 – EHF Expert: lectures and workshops for elite coaches across Europe, including Hungary, Romania, France and Germany
  • 2018 – Coaching education level 4 / Master Coach, Norwegian Handball Federation
  • 2010 – Development work for the Norwegian Handball Federation: development tools for players and coaches, «handball on the web», analysis of trends in the game
  • 2017 – 2018 Coach education and mentoring, Energa Politechnika Koszalin
  • 2012 – 2013 Mentor for TIF Viking men’s A-team and Os women’s A-team
  • 2007 – 2014 Full-time, NHF Region West, in charge of player development
  • 2002 – 2007 Club Manager, Bjørnar Handball; strategy and coach education, Stord Handball

Education and licences

  • 2022 EHF Expert
  • — EHF Pro Coaching License
  • 2012 EHF Master Coach
  • 2017 – 2019 Leading Edge: NLP Leadership Practitioner / coaching certification
  • 2012 – 2014 «Elite Coach 2», NTNU / Norwegian Olympic Committee (60 credits)
  • 2005 – 2007 Coaching education for handball, level 5 / Master Coach, NHF & Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (30 credits)
  • 2000 – 2002 Coaching education for handball, level 4, NHF & Norwegian School of Sport Sciences (30 credits)

Books, papers and publications

  • NHF Lead author: Norwegian School of Technical Skills in Attack, Norwegian School of Decision-Making, Norwegian School of Defense
  • 2013 Become the Best in Handball – with Heidi Løke, a book for young players and youth coaches
  • 2014 “Styles of leadership. Player’s expectations to coaches in elite level handball.” Main paper, Elite Coach 2
  • 2008 “Counter attack in the World Championship for men in Germany in 2007.” Main paper, Master Coach
  • 2004 “Wing play in attack in the Norwegian National Team for women in the World Championship 2003.” Main paper, level 4