Stine Bredal Oftedal celebrates – End of career after Paris Olympics – Paris 2024 Olympics

– Maybe I’m a little naive, but I’m looking forward to it like crazy. When she finally moves in, it will be one of the best days of my life and we can spend a lot of time together. “We’ve been waiting for seven years for this, so I’m very happy,” said Rune Damke, a player for the German national team.

The Norwegian women’s handball team is ready for its ninth semi-final in the context of the Olympic Games.

In the quarter-finals, they beat Brazil 32-15 at Lille’s magnificent Stade Pierre-Mauroy.

Stine Bredar Oftedal got plenty of rest against Brazil and will get even more in a few days when the Norwegian captain puts her handball boots away after the Olympics.

Norway will face Denmark in the semifinals on Thursday at 4:30 p.m.

– It’s a bit strange that she should quit

Last year, she and Rune Dahmke (31) got engaged, taking their relationship to the next level.

The 31-year-old currently plays handball for German club SV Kiel alongside international player Harald Reingind.

Although Damke is happy until it’s all over, he praised the 32-year-old’s efforts in Olympic track and field and throughout his long career.

– She’s still in great shape to play at the highest level. So when you see her and understand that she’s going to quit, it’s a little strange, but I think it’s the best choice for her future and I’m glad that she’s making a lot of sacrifices for our relationship again.

Already won most of it

The Paris Olympics will be the last active handball game for Stine Bredar Oftedal. Earlier this summer she ended her club career by winning the Champions League with Györ, a team she had played for since 2017.

– For example I’m really looking forward to it. Oftedal revealed on NRK, I feel very, very satisfied that it has been completed.

The Norway captain has played for the Norwegian national team since 2010 and has won gold medals at the 2011 World Cup, Euro 2014, Euro 2015, Euro 2020, Euro 2016, Euro 2021 and Euro 2022.

In 2019, she was named the best female handball player in the world.

– I’m going It’s just that I’ve been healthy, lucky, and motivated for many years. Everything has been arranged so that I can play everything and do everything. Everything I dreamed and hoped for. I am so grateful for it.

She had known for a long time that enough was enough and she needed a break.

– For example I want to be closer to the people closest to me. I’m tired of the pressure and the chasing.

Shout to teammates

For her teammates, it was difficult to see that their captain would not be participating in the European Championships this winter.

–EI feel like I get a little emotional almost every time you talk about this. It’s strange, Camilla Herrem said.

She played for the national team for 14 years together with Bredar Oftedal.

– It’s been a long time since you were in the same team. So you’ve become very, very good friends and she’s also a very good friend and you talk to her a lot outside of handball and stuff like that. So it’s going to be very sad.

She is supported by Nora Mørk.

– In the meantime, many of us are ready. There is a time for everything. But Norah Mock said it was clear that this could be both emotional and difficult.

At the same time, they paid tribute to the 32-year-old for her efforts with the Norwegian national team.

– There is one player who has grown more and more in the role and has been captain for a number of years now, and with good reason. She was involved in a lot of the moves, especially on offense, and is a leader we will miss.

– “Steyn is definitely someone I have a lot of respect for. Not only as a player on the field, but more importantly as a person. I think a lot of people will notice the difference when she’s awake,” Herrem said, “so it’s going to be weird.”

Sander Sagosen, whose wife is Stine Bredal Oftedal’s sister, believes his sister-in-law will be able to handle the transition to civilian life well.

– Neither I nor anyone else was stressed about it. She was very professional, but of course it was special to her. But she’s been through so much, been involved in so much, been through so much, so she There will be disasterVery professional till the last second.

New workday

Because next weekend in Paris when the Olympic flame goes out it will be a new working day. Bredal Oftedal has not yet decided what will happen in the future.

– So I tried to be on the side of the offer and see if anyone wanted me to go somewhere.

Despite this, she has ruled out becoming a handball coach.

– Maybe no training. That’s the lifestyle I aspire to be. Not to travel and live where I want and stuff there. So it’s not that.

There is still one thing the future husband can reveal about his new partner.

– She was really good at cooking, but now she’s good at almost everything, so I’m not surprised by this. I don’t know what a favorite dish is, but we love to cook a lot of delicious food together, enjoy a glass of wine, and then it doesn’t matter so much what’s on the plate.

But before that, the Norwegian captain has a few Olympic Games to play for. Because while she has won almost everything in her career, the most rewarding part of it all is missing.

That is Norway’s gold medal in the Olympics.

– It is this great goal that has always stood there, and has been there for a long time.