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There is one question that Heidi Løke (37) thinks she has had enough of.
Kolding (Nettavisen): Heidi Løke has won three golds at the European Championship, two at the World Cup and one Olympic gold with the Norwegian team. She has been on the All-Star team in championships seven times and in 2011 she was named player of the year in the world.
On Saturday, the handball veteran, with 220 caps for Norway, turns 38, but has no plans to give up the first for that reason.
In fact, she’s pretty tired of people asking her that.
Also read: Nora Mørk responded to Kyvåg’s comment
In a digital press conference related to the European Handball Championship, she was asked how long she, who is approaching 38 years old, intends to continue in both clubs and national teams.
– Actually, I am quite tired of that question, because I have never expressed that I will give up immediately. I love to play handball, I am very motivated and have great ambitions, Løke gave a clear message.
– I am very privileged
However, in an interview with Nettavisen ahead of Monday’s meeting with Romania, Løke says he understands the question is being asked.
– I understand, when you reach a certain age. It will probably come naturally one day, maybe. I am very privileged, who is allowed to have my hobby and what I like to do, like work. I know I’ll never have this time again. Somehow I can’t stop playing handball for five years and start over, as can be done in other jobs, says Løke.
Also read: Hergeirsson shook his head at the questions on TV profile 2
The ropes player, who plays daily for Vipers in Kristiansand, has been one of Norway’s biggest players for the past 12 years. However, with stiff competition from defense specialists Kari Brattset Dale and Marit Malm Frafjord, there hasn’t been that much playing time so far in this championship. Løke is relatively satisfied with that, he says.
– I take the role that I have and I know that both Marit and Kari are very skilled in defense there. I’ll do my best when I’m on the field, and Thorir and Tonje will know what they’ll get when they put me on. I feel like I’m in great shape, but I don’t think about it much. I just want us to win every game, he says.
Also read: Great game, but may lose place in the squad
Think Thorir is so sober inside
For the width of the Norwegian team it cannot be equaled by any other team in the championship. When also Katrine Lunde and finally Silje Solberg are on their way to the championship, Norway will also be difficult to face in the next matches.
– I think it’s difficult to play against us, because when we replace someone someone who is just as good comes in. That is a great advantage for us. I think we have opportunities to go all the way, but at the same time it is important not to go too far, and we have always been good there. This is probably one of our success factors, Løke believes.
And that’s probably what Thorir Hergeirsson wants to hear from his players. The Icelander almost refused to be presented with the cheering superlatives after the great victory against Germany.
Løke confirms that Hergeirsson is equally sober within the national team.
– He is. It’s early in the championship and we have a lot of games to go. We won’t take off even if we play a very good game. We took what was very good and used it more in the next match, because it was very good, says Løke.
The next task for the handball girls is the match against Romania at the Sydbank Arena in Kolding on Monday at 8.30pm.
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