Denmark (DEN)

Not making too many changes in a team is an art in itself – and it is precisely what Denmark have done over the last two years. With the core of their 2020 squad intact, when they reached the semi-finals, they aim for a medal at the Women’s EHF EURO 2022.

The loss in the 2020 bronze medal match Croatia might have hurt, but it was a wake-up call for Denmark. They have been improving under the stewardship of Jesper Jensen, named coach in 2020. This edition of the EHF EURO will mark 18 years since the last medal won by the Scandinavian side, therefore the stakes are high and the ambitions are also big.

In the first six editions of the EHF EURO, Denmark missed out on a medal only once, when they finished 10th in 2000. Since then, the Scandinavian powerhouse went through different generations, which placed fourth three times (2010, 2016, and 2020) but failed to win a medal. The last tournament started on a high and finished in disappointment on their home court, but it was a true lesson that Denmark definitely acknowledged.

Since Jesper Jensen took over the team in 2020, Denmark have been constantly improving, as underlined by their bronze medal at the 2021 IHF Women’s World Championship, the first time the Scandinavian side climbed on the podium in a major tournament since 2013.

The Danish league is certainly one of the top competitions in Europe right now, with a very balanced line-up and plenty of players that can improve their skills. There is no surprise, therefore, that Jesper Jensen, who also coaches Team Esbjerg, relies heavily on players that are featuring in Denmark, with only five players coming from other leagues – two from Metz Handball in France, two from Györi Audi ETO KC in Hungary and one from SG BBM Bietigheim in Germany. More importantly, though, is that these players have had plenty of time together in the past years, with Jensen relying heavily on the same core of players.

Read more about the Danish team HERE.