Norway prepare for EHF EURO 2014 without Heidi Loke

31-year-old Norwegian line player Heidi Loke, who plays for current Women's EHF Champions League winners Györi Audi ETO KC, has decided to take a break from the national team.

She states that she wants to give priority to her family, and at present it is unknown when, and even if, she is going to return to the national team. Either way, it does not seem likely that she will be back in time for the EHF EURO 2014 which takes place in Hungary and Croatia from 7 to 21 December 2014.

Norwegian newspaper VG has asked Loke, if she is going to reassume her national team career at some point.

"Well, it is a bit difficult to answer right now. I'm really motivated to play handball at top level for many years to come, but right now I want to give priority to something else," she answered. Loke has played 134 internationals and scored 478 goals for Norway to date.

Quite naturally, Norway's national coach Thorir Hergeirsson regrets Loke's decision.

"Heidi has been a crucial player for us, and she has contributed considerably to our team's great results in recent years. We respect Heidi's decision and hope that her break will be short," Thorir Hergeirsson told the Norwegian Handball Federation's website.

"For us in the coaching team, it is now all about continuing the preparations for the (EHF) EURO with the players who are available," Hergeirsson added.