When a titan announces the retirement from professional handball, it always comes as a shock. Sometimes, it seems that time does not affect players. Some even look like they can play a few more years without any issue. Sometimes, it even seems unfair.

But once the decision is taken, it is difficult to backpedal. Yet that decision also comes with an extra ounce of motivation. To prove why one was considered the best. To win one more medal. To end a successful career on a high.

After the men’s handball competition at this edition of the Olympics, Nikola Karabatic and Mikkel Hansen, arguably two of the best players ever, are saying goodbye to their playing careers. In the women’s, it is Stine Bredal Oftedal who will bow out. And for Oftedal, it will be on her terms, in the biggest setting possible.

Come Saturday, when the 32-year-old Norway centre back will play the last match of her career, the Stade Pierre Mauroy will be packed – with possibly a new record of attendance for a women’s handball match – for the final of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games between France and Norway.

"It's the ultimate dream, without a doubt. I'm just thrilled in general to be in a final. I'm very overwhelmed by that and to be able to finish my career in that way is almost a little too good to be true, but I of course hope for more," said Oftedal after Norway beat Denmark, 25:21, in the second semi-final of the women’s handball competition at Paris 2024.

Oftedal is undoubtedly still playing at the highest possible level. She has scored 20 goals in the competition, being her team’s top goal scorer, three goals less than line player Kari Brattset Dale. But the connection she has with her teammates is absolutely fantastic.

No other player has delivered more assists in the competition, 43, than Oftedal. The second player in the standings is Sweden’s Jamina Roberts, with 30 assists. Or more than two assists per game less than Oftedal. As a centre back, her influence is huge on Norway’s play.

And now, Oftedal will say her farewell to handball in the perfect way possible. In an Olympics final, against France, in France, the place she called home for four years, featuring at Issy-Paris Handball between 2013 and 2017, her first experience outside Norway and the place where she really put her absolutely fantastic skills to use for the first time.

"We will have the perfect final; France, in France, in this type of arena. It's going to be something that I'll remember forever. I hope that we will also manage to be ourselves and play our game. For the last 10 to 15 years, it has always been those two teams who, time after time, have been in finals, fighting for the medals, so in that way it is also the perfect match and final for women's handball,” says Oftedal.

"We've played against France many times, in many important games. We know each other well. As always, both teams will focus on defence, trying to stop each other's individualities. Then we will see who has the best day."

Oftedal’s goodbye tour has been somewhat of a fairytale. Her last appearance at the IHF Women’s World Championship, last December, ended with the silver medal, after Norway lost the final against France, the same opponent which the Scandinavian side will face on Saturday, in the Paris 2024 final.

Then, Oftedal led her club side, Györi Audi ETO KC, to another title in the EHF Champions League Women, being named the MVP of the EHF FINAL4 in Budapest, where the Norway centre back showcased her outstanding form once again.

“It is exactly like I envisioned it, maybe even a little bit better. It is fantastic to finish this off with a win, with a title and the fans were absolutely fantastic, absolutely amazing, it is just a fantastic feeling to end my club career on such a high,” said the centre back in June.

It was the third EHF Champions League Women title for Oftedal, who was asked if she still has space in her trophy cabinet for another medal, this time at the Olympics, where she had only won the bronze at Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020.

But will Oftedal – who won five EHF EURO titles and three world titles – feel any pressure before her last dance, the last hurrah of a fantastic career, which saw her win 13 medals at major international competitions, plus three Champions League titles at club level?

"It is important to go straight into the analytical part; focus on what I and we can do, task before everything. I know that I will be really nervous anyway. I am used to it, I have played a lot of these big games. I will try to be comfortable in the uncomfortable," says Oftedal.

Did she feel uncomfortable before the semi-final against Denmark?

“Very,” replied Oftedal. When informed that could not be seen on the court, she smiled.

“Good.”

But for one last time, the centre back will have her normal routine, then enter the court. This time, for the title which would help her complete handball. 

Everything, in a “perfect” setting.