Denmark men's national handball team

The Denmark men’s national handball team is controlled by the Danish Handball Association and represents Denmark in international matches. They are the team with the fourth most medals won in European Championship history on the men's side behind Sweden, France and Spain, with a total of seven medals. Two of these are gold medals (2008, 2012), one silver (2014) and four bronze medals (2002, 2004, 2006 & 2022). They are widely considered the best men's handball team in the world.

Denmark
Information
AssociationDanish Handball Association
CoachNikolaj Jacobsen
Assistant coachMichael Bruun
Henrik Kronborg
CaptainNiklas Landin Jacobsen
Most capsLars Christiansen (338)
Most goalsLars Christiansen (1503)
Colours
Home
Away
Results
Summer Olympics
Appearances7 (First in 1972)
Best result1st (2016)
World Championship
Appearances24 (First in 1938)
Best result1st (2019, 2021)
European Championship
Appearances14 (First in 1994)
Best result1st (2008, 2012)
Last updated on Unknown.
2017 World Men's Handball Championship
Sweden / Denmark (Group D)
16 January 2017.
Denmark men's national handball team
Medal record
Olympic Games
2016 Rio de JaneiroTeam
2020 TokyoTeam
World Championship
2019 Denmark/Germany
2021 Egypt
1967 Sweden
2011 Sweden
2013 Spain
2007 Germany
World Outdoor Championship
1948 France
European Championship
2008 Norway
2012 Serbia
2014 Denmark
2002 Sweden
2004 Slovenia
2006 Switzerland
2022 Hungary/Slovakia

As of January 2021 they are the double defending World Champions. Defending their 2019 World Championship title at the 2021 World Championship in Egypt, they became only the fourth country to successfully defend a World Championship title. (The other three being Sweden, Romania and France). They are also the only team to have won nineteen national matches in a row without losing at a World Championship tournament from 2019-2021, surpassing the eighteen match winning streak by France. As of January 2021, they are the fourth most successful team in World Championship history behind France, Sweden and Romania, having won six medals. Two of these are gold (2019, 2021), three silver (1967, 2011, 2013) and one bronze (2007).

History

Handball is the second most popular pastime in Denmark, only exceeded by football. At the end of 2003, the Danish Handball Association had more than 146,000 active and passive members.

2007 World Championship

In 2007 Denmark participated in the World Championship in Germany, where they were pitted in Group E against Angola, Hungary and their neighbors to the north Norway. Denmark finished second in their group after victories against Angola and Norway. In the main round the team faced Croatia, the Czech Republic, Russia, Hungary and defending champions Spain.

Despite an initial defeat against Croatia, the team advanced by defeating their last three opponents. In the quarterfinal Iceland was defeated by the narrowest of margins, 42–41. In the semi-final Denmark lost to Poland 36–33 and ended up in the bronze match against France, which they won 34–27 thus placing third.

Denmark's pivot Michael V. Knudsen was added to the All Star Team of the tournament.

2008 European Championship

After finishing third in three consecutive European Championships, the Danish team won gold at the 2008 European Men's Handball Championship, which took place in neighboring Norway. The team lost only one match on the way to gold in a fiercely contested derby against hosts Norway. The Danish team defeated Croatia 24–20 in the final after inching out Germany in the semis. Keeper Kasper Hvidt and winger Lars Christiansen were important factors in the Danish campaign, both being selected for the tournament all-star team and Lars Christiansen also finishing as shared top goalscorer.

2010 European Championship

As defending champions, Denmark was a favorite to reclaim the title. However, they did not succeed, losing matches to both Iceland and Croatia. Instead of advancing to the main-round Denmark ended up playing for fifth place against Spain. They won the placement match 34–27.

2011 World Championship

At The 2011 World Men's Handball Championship, after winning nine consecutive matches, Denmark reached the final beating Spain 28:24 in the semi-final. This was the first time in over 44 years, that the Denmark National Handball Team reached a World Championship final. In the final, Denmark lost against France 35:37 in overtime. This meant at the time, that France was able to hold all three major titles as reigning European Champions, Olympic Champions and also double World Champions.

2012 European Championship

Denmark came to the 2012 European Men's Handball Championship as vice World Champions and as one of the pre-favorites to win the tournament. However, in the main group, Denmark lost to both Serbia and Poland, proceeding to the main round with zero points, having only won against Slovakia. This meant that Denmark had to win all of their matches and at the same time, they had to rely on other results in order to advance to the semi-finals. Miraculously, results from other matches were in favor of Denmark. The destiny of Denmark's survival lay in the hands of Poland as Poland had to win against Germany in order to sustain Denmark's survival in the tournament. After a fierce and close match between Poland and Germany, Poland won 33–32. This meant that Denmark only had to beat Sweden in their final main round match, and they would go through to the semi-finals. Denmark beat Sweden by a large margin, 31–24, making handball history along the way, becoming the first team ever, both on the men's and women's side in European Championship history to advance to the semi-finals having carried zero points into the main round.

Like the 2011 World Men's Handball Championship, Denmark met Spain in the semi-finals, a match Denmark won 25–24. In the other semi-final, hosting nation Serbia met Croatia, a match Serbia won 26–22.

In a low scoring match, Denmark won their second European Championship title after beating Serbia 21–19 in the final, thus becoming the first handball team ever claiming the European Championship title having carried zero points into the main round.

2013 World Championship

Despite having disappointed at the 2012 Olympics in London, Denmark was still among the top teams to win the World Champions title. As defending European Champions, Denmark was seated with Russia, Iceland, Macedonia, Qatar and Chile in Group B. Winning all of their matches, they advanced safely to the 16th round where they had to meet Tunisia. Having no problems defeating Tunisia with the score of 30–23, Denmark reached the Quarterfinals where Hungary awaited. After a splendid first half, leading 18–11, the second half was a more close affair, though Denmark managed to win 28–26, reaching the semi-finals for the second consecutive time in this tournament. In the semi-finals, Denmark was seated with Croatia who had beaten the defending World Champions, France, in their semi-final. Though the odds where in favor of Croatia, Denmark played their best match in the 2013 World Championship so far, winning 30–24 and securing their second consecutive World Championship final.

In the final, Denmark was up against hosting nation, Spain. The final became a horrendous game for Denmark, losing with a record-breaking 16 goals, and losing the title for the second time in a row, with Spain declared as winner of the tournament for the second time in history.

2014 European Championship

As vice world champions, defending European Champions and the advantage of home court, Denmark were among the favorites to win the tournament. They won all of the matches in the preliminary round as well as the main round easily advancing to the semi-finals. Denmark met Croatia in the semi-final. They beat Croatia, 29–27, but lost to the French national team in the finals, losing 41–32. This was the second time in a row, that Denmark lost a Championship, losing to Spain at the 2013 World Championship.

2019 World Championship

Denmark along with Germany co-hosted the 2019 World Championship and played in Group C with Norway, Tunisia, Chile, Austria and Saudi Arabia. started with a victory over Chile and remained undefeated. Then played in Group II in the main round the first match with a win over Hungary, also undefeated, played in the semi-finals. A win over six-time world champions France put them in the final. Denmark won world championship title with a 31–22 victory over Norway in the final.

2021 World Championship

Denmark qualified for the 2021 World Championship in Egypt as defending champions. They went undefeated and won the second successive world title. They also became the only team, to win nineteen national matches in a row at World Championship tournaments from 2019-2021, surpassing the eighteen winning streak by France.

2025 World Championship

Denmark along with Croatia and Norway will co-host the 2025 World Championship, it will be the third time Denmark co-host the tournament, they are automatically qualified as co-host

Honours

CompetitionTotal
Olympic Games 1102
World Championship 2316
European Championship 2147
Total55515

Competitive record

  Champions    Runners-up    Third place    Fourth place  

Olympic Games

The team did not participate in the 1936 field handball tournament at the Olympics, but lost at the 1952 Olympics in a demonstration match against Sweden.

Games Round Position Pld W D L GF GA GD
1936 Berlin Did not participate
Not held from 1948 to 1968
1972 MunichMatch for 13th place13th of 16521278780
1976 MontrealMatch for 7th place8th of 115203113127−14
1980 MoscowMatch for 9th place9th of 1262041241240
1984 Los AngelesFourth place4th of 126402134122+12
1988 Seoul Did not qualify
1992 Barcelona
1996 Atlanta
2000 Sydney
2004 Athens
2008 BeijingMatch for 7th place7th of 128323225211+14
2012 LondonQuarter-finals6th of 126402146153−7
2016 Rio de JaneiroChampion1st of 128602230211+19
2020 TokyoRunners-up2nd of 128602255212+33
Total8/141 Title522932013051238+57

World Championship

World Championship record
Year Round Position GP W D* L GS GA
1938Semi-finals43003620
1954Fifth place531024445
1958Semi-finals4640212186
1961Fifth place564029278
1964Seventh place7630310596
1967Runners-up2 640210778
1970Semi-finals46303103116
1974Second round862046378
1978Semi-finals46411114101
1982Semi-finals47412150143
1986Second round87304152160
1990Did not qualify
1993Second round97223145156
1995Preliminary round175203126117
1997Did not qualify
1999Round of 1696402141140
2001Did not qualify
2003Second round97403201193
2005Preliminary round135302174117
2007Semi-finals3 10703316283
2009Semi-finals410703298258
2011Runners-up2 10901334256
2013Runners-up2 9801291244
2015Quarter-finals59621272234
2017Round of 16106501182157
2019Champion1 101000317223
2021Champion1 9810304227
2023Qualified as defending World Champions
2025Qualified as co-host
2027TBD
Total25/302 Titles165107*75141583606

European Championship

European Championship record
Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA
1994Fourth place47313150152
199611th/12th place126006132158
1998Did not qualify
20009th/10th place106204143153
2002Third place3 8611212190
2004Third place3 8602240206
2006Third place3 8512249231
2008Champion1 8701233193
20105th/6th place57502198184
2012Champion1 8602216201
2014Runners-up2 8701247222
20165th/6th place67412194180
2018Fourth place48503235205
2020Preliminary round1331118583
2022Third place3 9702274228
2024Qualified
2026Qualified as co-host
2028TBD
Total14/152 titles1016453228082586
*Denotes draws include knockout matches decided in a penalty shootout.
**Gold background color indicates that the tournament was won. Red border color indicates tournament was held on home soil.

Team

Current squad

A 20-player squad was announced on 16 December for the 2022 European Men's Handball Championship in Hungary and Slovakia.[1]

Matches and goals are correct as of 16 December 2021.[2]

Head coach: Nikolaj Jacobsen

No. Pos. Name Date of birth (age) Height App. Goals Club
1 GK Niklas Landin Jacobsen (1988-12-19)19 December 1988 (aged 33) 2.01 m 233 10 THW Kiel
3 RB Niclas Kirkeløkke (1994-03-26)26 March 1994 (aged 27) 1.95 m 40 60 Rhein-Neckar Löwen
4 LW Magnus Landin Jacobsen (1995-08-20)20 August 1995 (aged 26) 1.97 m 90 182 THW Kiel
7 LW Emil Jakobsen (1998-01-24)24 January 1998 (aged 23) 1.90 m 23 87 SG Flensburg-Handewitt
8 P René Antonsen (1992-03-04)4 March 1992 (aged 29) 1.95 m 5 4 Aalborg Håndbold
11 CB Rasmus Lauge (1991-06-20)20 June 1991 (aged 30) 1.93 m 127 322 Veszprém KC
15 P Magnus Saugstrup (1996-07-12)12 July 1996 (aged 25) 1.95 m 42 87 SC Magdeburg
16 GK Jannick Green (1988-09-29)29 September 1988 (aged 33) 1.95 m 137 2 SC Magdeburg
17 RW Lasse Svan Hansen (1983-08-31)31 August 1983 (aged 38) 1.85 m 235 553 SG Flensburg-Handewitt
18 RW Hans Lindberg (1981-08-01)1 August 1981 (aged 40) 1.88 m 272 756 Füchse Berlin
20 GK Kevin Møller (1989-06-20)20 June 1989 (aged 32) 2.00 m 52 6 SG Flensburg-Handewitt
21 LB Henrik Møllgaard (1985-01-02)2 January 1985 (aged 37) 1.97 m 180 182 Aalborg Håndbold
22 CB Mads Mensah Larsen (1991-08-12)12 August 1991 (aged 30) 1.88 m 158 298 SG Flensburg-Handewitt
23 P Henrik Toft Hansen (1986-12-18)18 December 1986 (aged 35) 2.00 m 140 252 Paris Saint-Germain
24 LB Mikkel Hansen (1987-10-22)22 October 1987 (aged 34) 1.92 m 231 1190 Paris Saint-Germain
26 RW Jóhan Hansen (1994-05-01)1 May 1994 (aged 27) 1.90 m 56 117 TSV Hannover-Burgdorf
28 LB Lasse Andersson (1994-03-11)11 March 1994 (aged 27) 1.90 m 53 65 Füchse Berlin
29 LB Aaron Mensing (1997-11-11)11 November 1997 (aged 24) 1.99 m 5 11 SG Flensburg-Handewitt
32 LB Jacob Holm (1995-09-05)5 September 1995 (aged 26) 1.94 m 51 146 Füchse Berlin
33 RB Mathias Gidsel (1999-02-08)8 February 1999 (aged 22) 1.90 m 27 122 GOG Håndbold
34 P Simon Hald (1994-09-29)29 September 1994 (aged 27) 2.03 m 49 61 SG Flensburg-Handewitt

Coaching staff

RoleName
Head coach Nikolaj Jacobsen
Assistant coach Henrik Kronborg
Team manager Kaj Johanssen
Goalkeeping coach Michael Bruun
Doctor Morten Storgaard
Bodytherapist Kristoffer Glavind Kjær
Physiotherapist Anja David Greve

Statistics

  Still active national team players are highlighted

Most capped players

Player Games Position Years
Lars Christiansen338W1992–2012
Hans Lindberg275W2003–
Bo Spellerberg245CB2000–2015
Lasse Svan Hansen245W2003–
Michael V. Knudsen244P1999–2014
Niklas Landin Jacobsen242GK2008–
Mikkel Hansen239OB2007–
Michael Fenger234W1982–1993
Erik Veje Rasmussen233OB1980–1994
Jesper Nøddesbo223P2001–2017
Kasper Hvidt219GK1996–2010
Anders Dahl-Nielsen209CB1973–1984
Kasper Nielsen191D, OB1995–2012
Henrik Møllgaard189D, OB2006–
Joachim Boldsen186CB1998–2008
Morten Bjerre185OB1992–2005
Kasper Søndergaard184OB2004–2017
Mads Mensah Larsen168CB2011–
Anders Eggert160W2003–2021
Lasse Boesen159OB2000–2012

Top scorers

Player Goals Average Position Years
Lars Christiansen15034.45W1992–2012
Mikkel Hansen12435.20OB2007–
Erik Veje Rasmussen10154.37OB1980–1993
Michael V. Knudsen7973.27P1999–2014
Hans Lindberg7602.76W2003–
Anders Dahl-Nielsen6102.92CB1973–1984
Christian Hjermind5953.5W1994–2005
Nikolaj Jacobsen5843.95W1991–2003
Anders Eggert5813.63W2003–2021
Lasse Svan Hansen5702.33W2003–
Michael Fenger5412.31W1982–1993
Jesper Nøddesbo4502.02P2001–2017
Morten Bjerre4322.34OB1992–2005
Lasse Boesen4062.55OB2000–2012
Joachim Boldsen4052.18CB1998–2008
Kasper Søndergaard3952.15OB2004–2017
Lars Krogh Jeppesen3842.84OB1998–2008
Rasmus Lauge Schmidt3432.52CB2010–
Casper U. Mortensen3332.60W2010–
Bo Spellerberg3321.36CB2000–2015

As of the 2022 European Championship.

Kit suppliers

Between 2003 and 2006, Denmark's kits were supplied by Adidas. Since 2007 the kits have been supplied by Puma.

Sponsors

The current sponsor of the Danish Handball Team is tombola.

References

This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.