Aalborg loses key player

Danish Champions League team Aalborg DH will have to play the rest of the Women’s Champions League this season without one of the most important players. The versatile right handed backcourt player Louise Mortensen has decided to end her career with immediate effect after six and a half year in the club.

In the summer of 2009, Louise Mortensen extended her contract with Aalborg for another year. But the contract allowed her to end it at New Year if she wanted to. And now she has decided to make use of that option.

"I can look back on many good experiences with the club and with the national team. Lately, however, the need for a life without handball has grown bigger and bigger. Now is the time to start a new chapter of my life. I wish Aalborg DH good luck in the future and hope the best for everyone in and around the club," said 30 year old Louise Mortensen, who has played 82 internationals for Denmark.

She was one of the most important players in the Danish national team at the World championship in China in December, where the Danes ended fifth. She has not wished to elaborate on her reasons for ending her career in this sudden and rather surprising way.

Two group matches left

"When Louise and Aalborg DH decided to continue our cooperation last summer, we agreed that it could end at New Year, if one of the parties wanted this. Louise has chosen to make use of this opportunity to stop now and open a new chapter of her life. She has played for Aalborg DH for many years, and has also been a regular in the Danish national team. We are extremely happy and proud to have had Louise in our team all this time," Aalborg DH´s managing director and club owner Jan Hansen said.

Aalborg have two matches left in Group B of the EHF Champions League. Both are away matches – against Hypo Niederösterreich on January 9th and against Metz on January 15th. In spite of being last in the group with two points after their first four matches, Aalborg still have a chance to advance to the main round, although Louise Mortensen´s career stop may weaken this chance.