Denmark men's national handball team

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 France 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 to 2021, surpassing the eighteen winning streak by France.

2025 World Championship

Denmark along with Croatia and Norway co-hosted the 2025 World Championship. It was the third time Denmark co-hosted the tournament. They were automatically qualified as co-host. Denmark won the tournament with a dominating performance, having the highest average win margin ever with +13.4,beating Croatia in the final 32-26, Portugal in the semifinal 40-27 and Brazil in the quarter final 33-21. It was the first time a team won four straight World Championships on either the men's or women's side.

They extended their records of most World Championship matches in a row without defeat to 37.

Honours

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.

World Championship

Euro Tournaments

All teams in these tournaments are European,all World and Olympic Champions, and top 7 from World Championships and Olympics were participating. They were mini European championships at the time, till 1994 when official European Championship started. :EURO World Cup tournament Sweden

• 1979 SWE: 5th place
• 1984 SWE: [[Image:Med 2.png|15px|alt=|link=]] Runners Up
• 1988 SWE: 8th place
• 1992 SWE: 5th place :EURO Super Cup tournament Germany
• 1985 GER: 7th place

European Championship

:*Denotes draws including 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

The squad for the 2026 European Men's Handball Championship.

Head coach: Nikolaj Jacobsen

Coaching staff

List of head coaches

• Aksel Pedersen (1938–1961)
• Henry Larsen (1961–1962)
• Steen Pedersen (1962–1964)
• G.B. Petersen (1964–1966)
• Bent Jakobsen (1966–1970)
• Knud Knudsen (1970)
• John Bjørklund (1965–1968)
• Jørgen Gaarskjær (1971–1972)
• Leif Mikkelsen (1976–1987)
• Anders Dahl-Nielsen (1987–1992)
• Ole Andersen (1992–1993)
• Ulf Schefvert (1993–1997)
• Keld Nielsen (1997–1999)
• Leif Mikkelsen (1999–2000)
• Torben Winther(2000–2005)
• Ulrik Wilbek (2005–2014)
• Guðmundur Guðmundsson (2014–2017)
• Nikolaj Jacobsen (2017–)

Statistics

Most capped players

Top scorers

As of 20 January 2026.

Champion Squads

2008 European Championship

Kasper Hvidt, Mikkel Holm Aagaard, Lasse Boesen, Lars T. Jørgensen, Jesper Jensen, Lars Rasmussen, Lars Christiansen, Lars Møller Madsen, Peter Henriksen, Bo Spellerberg, Michael V. Knudsen, Jesper Nøddesbo, Lars Krogh Jeppesen, Kasper Søndergaard, Joachim Boldsen, Hans Lindberg, Kasper Nielsen.

Head coach: Ulrik Wilbek.

All-Star Team Players: Kasper Hvidt (Goalkeeper), Lars Christiansen (Left wing).

2012 European Championship

Niklas Landin, Thomas Mogensen, Mads Christiansen, Rasmus Lauge Schmidt, Lars Christiansen, Nikolaj Markussen, Anders Eggert, Bo Spellerberg, Lasse Svan Hansen, Hans Lindberg, Rene Toft Hansen, Marcus Cleverly, Kasper Søndergaard, Henrik Toft Hansen, Mikkel Hansen, Kasper Nielsen.

Head coach: Ulrik Wilbek.

All-Star Team Players: Mikkel Hansen (Left back), Rene Toft Hansen (Pivot).

2016 Olympic Games

Niklas Landin Jacobsen, Mads Christiansen, Mads Mensah Larsen, Casper Ulrich Mortensen, Jesper Nøddesbo, Jannick Green, Lasse Svan Hansen, Rene Toft Hansen, Henrik Møllgaard, Kasper Søndergaard, Henrik Toft Hansen, Mikkel Hansen, Morten Olsen, Michael Damgaard.

Head coach: Guðmundur Guðmundsson.

All-Star Team Players: Niklas Landin Jacobsen (Goalkeaper), Mikkel Hansen (Left back, MVP), Lasse Svan Hansen (Right wing).

2019 World Championship

Niklas Landin Jacobsen, Magnus Landin Jacobsen, Casper Ulrich Mortensen, Nikolaj Markussen, Rasmus Lauge Schmidt, Anders Zachariassen, Jannick Green, Lasse Svan Hansen, Hans Lindberg, Rene Toft Hansen, Henrik Møllgaard, Mads Mensah Larsen, Henrik Toft Hansen, Mikkel Hansen, Morten Olsen, Jóhan Hansen, Nikolaj Øris Nielsen, Simon Hald.

Head coach: Nikolaj Jacobsen.

All-Star Team Players: Niklas Landin Jacobsen (Goalkeeper), Rasmus Lauge Schmidt (Centre back), Mikkel Hansen (MVP).

2021 World Championship

Niklas Landin Jacobsen, Magnus Landin Jacobsen, Magnus Bramming, Emil Jakobsen, Emil Nielsen, Anders Zachariassen, Magnus Saugstrup, Lasse Svan Hansen, Kevin Møller, Henrik Møllgaard, Mads Mensah Larsen, Mikkel Hansen, Morten Olsen, Jóhan Hansen, Lasse Andersson, Nikolaj Øris Nielsen, Jacob Holm, Mathias Gidsel, Simon Hald, Nikolaj Læsø.

Head coach: Nikolaj Jacobsen.

All-Star Team Players: Mikkel Hansen (Left back, MVP), Mathias Gidsel (Right back).

2023 World Championship

Niklas Landin Jacobsen, Niclas Kirkeløkke, Magnus Landin Jacobsen, Emil Jakobsen, Rasmus Lauge, Magnus Saugstrup, Hans Lindberg, Mathias Gidsel, Kevin Møller, Henrik Møllgaard, Mads Mensah Larsen, Mikkel Hansen, Lukas Jørgensen, Jóhan Hansen, Michael Damgaard, Jacob Holm, Simon Hald, Simon Pytlick, Mads Hoxer Hangaard, Lasse Møller.

Head coach: Nikolaj Jacobsen.

All-Star Team Players: Simon Pytlick (Left back), Mathias Gidsel (MVP).

2024 Olympic Games

Niklas Landin Jacobsen, Niclas Kirkeløkke, Magnus Landin Jacobsen, Emil Jakobsen, Rasmus Lauge, Emil Nielsen, Magnus Saugstrup, Hans Lindberg, Mathias Gidsel, Henrik Møllgaard, Mikkel Hansen, Lukas Jørgensen, Lasse Andersson, Simon Hald, Thomas Sommer Arnoldsen, Simon Pytlick.

Head coach: Nikolaj Jacobsen.

All-Star Team Players: Niklas Landin Jacobsen (Goalkeeper), Simon Pytlick (Left back), Lukas Jørgensen (Pivot), Mathias Gidsel (MVP).

2025 World Championship

Niclas Kirkeløkke, Magnus Landin Jacobsen, Emil Jakobsen, Rasmus Lauge, Emil Nielsen, Magnus Saugstrup, Jannick Green, Mathias Gidsel, Kevin Møller, Henrik Møllgaard, Mads Mensah Larsen, Lukas Jørgensen, Jóhan Hansen, Lasse Andersson, Emil Bergholt, Simon Hald, Thomas Arnoldsen, Simon Pytlick, Emil Madsen

Head coach: Nikolaj Jacobsen.

All-Star Team Players: Emil Nielsen (Goalkeeper), Simon Pytlick (Left back), Mathias Gidsel (MVP).

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 Norlys.

References

References

1. (29 January 2023). "Denmark write history with otherworldly three-peat". ihf.info.
2. (29 January 2023). "Spain seal podium place in highest-scoring bronze-medal game ever". ihf.info.
3. "IHF {{!}} Denmark breeze through to the semi-finals and set a new amazing record".
4. (2 February 2025). "Lars Christiansen husker dén kamp mod Kroatien, der indledte Danmarks guldalder". [[Danmarks Radio]].
5. Christian Ipsen. (2 February 2025). "Her er Danmarks utrolige rekorder". [[TV2 Danmark]].
6. "En enkelt debutant i Nikolaj Jacobsens stærke EM-trup {{!}} Håndbold.dk".