After Denmark won their first ever men’s Olympic gold in Rio de Janeiro in 2016, the World Championship title is the only one that eludes the squad. In the history of the IHF Men’s World Championship, the Scandinavian team have reached the final three times – but always left with the silver medal.

 

The last time Denmark qualified for the final was in 2013. In 2015, they were eliminated in the quarter-final stage with a one-goal loss to Spain. In 2017, Denmark’s defeat to Hungary in the eighth-finals was one of the biggest shocks of the World Championship, considering the Scandinavian side had won the Olympic title only five months before, while Hungary had not qualified for the Games.

 

Denmark returned to form at the EHF EURO 2018, where they made it to the semi-finals, losing a dramatic extra-time match against neighbours Sweden by one goal. Denmark faced France in the bronze-medal game, suffering a three-goal defeat.

 

With the advantage that comes with playing at home and a deep roster of world-class players at peak fitness, Denmark appear in a strong position to reach the medal round at GER/DEN 2019. The key players for Denmark hardly need an introduction, particularly leading star Mikkel Hansen, who is a favourite around the world of handball fans. The Paris Saint-Germain left back and two-time World Handball Player of the Year (2011 and 2015) is joined by a host of talented players, such as goalkeeper Niklas Landin, right wing Lasse Svan, and the line player and defensive specialist brothers Rene and Henrik Toft Hansen.

 

Alongside 2017 World Championship silver medallists Norway, Denmark are certainly the favoured side in their group. The World Championship co-hosts will open their campaign in Copenhagen on January 10, taking on Chile. They will travel to Herning for their remaining Group C matches, where they will meet Tunisia, Saudi Arabia, Austria and lastly, for what is expected to be the ‘group final’, Norway.

 

“It’s a great group where we have a chance of doing a good job. Norway is, of course, one of the best teams in the world, but looking at the group as a whole I believe that we have a fair chance to enter the main round in a good position for the games in this stage if we perform to our best possible level,” says coach Nikolaj Jacobsen, while Danish Handball Federation Sports Director Morten Henriksen outlines the goal to reach the penultimate stage:

 

“Our objective is always to reach the semi-finals, but the dream of course is to lift the trophy at home in Denmark. However, we realise that eight to 10 other teams have the same objective and the qualities to reach the final weekend.”

 

Fans can follow Denmark on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

 

Group at Germany/Denmark 2019:
Group C: Denmark, Norway, Austria, Tunisia, Chile, Saudi Arabia

 

Games at Germany/Denmark 2019:

All times local

 

Thursday 10 January Chile vs Denmark (20:15)
Saturday 12 January Denmark vs Tunisia (20:15)
Monday 14 January Denmark vs Saudi Arabia (20:15)
Tuesday 15 January Austria vs Denmark (20:15)
Thursday 17 January Denmark vs Norway (20:15)

IHF & Germany/Denmark 2019 Official Channels

Follow the 2019 IHF Men’s World Championship in Germany/Denmark on the IHF website, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube channels as well as the official event website and Facebook and Instagram channels.

 

Photo: DHF