Denmark men's national handball team

Men's national handball team representing Denmark From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Denmark men's national handball team

The Denmark men's national handball team (Danish: Danmarks håndboldlandshold, lit.'Denmark's national handball team') is controlled by the Danish Handball Association and represents Denmark in international matches. They are the team with the second most medals won in European Championship history on the men's side behind Spain, with a total of eight medals. Two of these are gold medals (2008, 2012), two silver (2014, 2024) and four bronze medals (2002, 2004, 2006 & 2022).

Quick Facts Information, Association ...
Denmark
Shirt badge/Association crest
Information
AssociationDanish Handball Association
CoachNikolaj Jacobsen
Assistant coachHenrik Kronborg
Most capsLars Christiansen (338)
Most goalsLars Christiansen (1503)
Colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
1st
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
Team colours
2nd
Results
Summer Olympics
Appearances9 (First in 1972)
Best result 1st (2016, 2024)
World Championship
Appearances26 (First in 1938)
Best result 1st (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025)
European Championship
Appearances15 (First in 1994)
Best result 1st (2008, 2012)
Last updated on 21 January 2025.
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2017 World Men's Handball Championship
Sweden / Denmark (Group D)
16 January 2017.

As of January 2025 they are the Olympic Champions, winners of four consecutive World Championships (2019, 2021, 2023 & 2025), being the first country to ever do so, and runners-up from the 2024 European Championship making them the current top ranking men's handball team. 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).

By winning the World Championship in 2023, they became the first team on the men's side, to win three World Championship titles in a row, winning in 2019, 2021 & 2023.[1][2]

They are also the only team to have won nineteen consecutive World Championship matches, from 2019 to 2021, surpassing the eighteen match winning streak by France. In January 2025, they became the first team ever to not lose in 37 games in a row at the World Championships spanning from 2019–present, beating the previous record by France who had a 25 winning streak set between 2015 and 2019.[3]

As of January 2025, they are the third most successful team in World Championship history behind France and Sweden, having won eight medals. Four of these are gold (2019, 2021, 2023, 2025), three silver (1967, 2011, 2013) and one bronze (2007).

History

Summarize
Perspective

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 were co-hosting the 2025 World Championship. It was the third time Denmark co-host the tournament. They are automatically qualified as co-host. Denmark won the tournament with a dominating performance, having the highest average win margin ever with +13.4.[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 4 straight World Championships on either the men's or women's side.[4]

They extended their records of most World Championship matches in a row without defeat to 31.[4]

Honours

More information Competition, Total ...
Competition1st place, gold medalist(s)2nd place, silver medalist(s)3rd place, bronze medalist(s)Total
Olympic Games 2103
World Championship 4318
European Championship 2248
Total86519
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Competitive record

Summarize
Perspective

  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.

More information Games, Round ...
Games Round Position Pld W D L GF GA GD
Germany 1936 Berlin did not participate
Not held from 1948 to 1968
West Germany 1972 MunichMatch for 13th place13th of 16521278780
Canada 1976 MontrealMatch for 7th place8th of 115203113127−14
Soviet Union 1980 MoscowMatch for 9th place9th of 1262041241240
United States 1984 Los AngelesFourth place4th of 126402134122+12
South Korea 1988 Seoul did not qualify
Spain 1992 Barcelona
United States 1996 Atlanta
Australia 2000 Sydney
Greece 2004 Athens
China 2008 BeijingMatch for 7th place7th of 128323225211+14
United Kingdom 2012 LondonQuarter-finals6th of 126402146153−7
Brazil 2016 Rio de JaneiroChampions1st of 128602230211+19
Japan 2020 TokyoRunners-up2nd of 128602255212+43
France 2024 ParisChampions1st of 128800267220+47
United States 2028 Los Angeles TBD
Australia 2032 Brisbane
Total9/152 Titles603732015721458+114
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World Championship

More information Year, Round ...
Year Round Position GP W D* L GS GA
Nazi Germany 1938Semi-finals43003620
Sweden 1954Fifth place531024445
East Germany 1958Semi-finals4640212186
West Germany 1961Fifth place564029278
Czechoslovakia 1964Seventh place7630310596
Sweden 1967Runners-up2 64029277
France 1970Semi-finals46303103116
East Germany 1974Second round8620478100
Denmark 1978Semi-finals46411114101
West Germany 1982Semi-finals47412150143
Switzerland 1986Second round87304152160
Czechoslovakia 1990did not qualify
Sweden 1993Second round97223145156
Iceland 1995Preliminary round175203126117
Japan 1997did not qualify
Egypt 1999Round of 1696402141140
France 2001did not qualify
Portugal 2003Second round97403201193
Tunisia 2005Preliminary round135302174117
Germany 2007Semi-finals3 10703316283
Croatia 2009Semi-finals410703299260
Sweden 2011Runners-up2 10901330253
Spain 2013Runners-up2 9801291244
Qatar 2015Quarter-finals59621272234
France 2017Round of 16106501182157
DenmarkGermany 2019Champions1 101000317223
Egypt 2021Champions1 9810308230
PolandSweden 2023Champions1 9810308226
CroatiaDenmarkNorway 2025Champions1 9900330217
Germany 2027Qualified as defending champions
FranceGermany 2029TBD
DenmarkIcelandNorway 2031Qualified as co-host
Total26/294 Titles183124*85147974072
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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 Sweden: 5th place
  • 1984 Sweden: Runners Up
  • 1988 Sweden: 8th place
  • 1992 Sweden: 5th place
EURO Super Cup tournament Germany
  • 1985 Germany: 7th place

European Championship

More information Year, Round ...
Year Round Position GP W D L GS GA
Portugal 1994Fourth place47313150152
Spain 199611th/12th place126006132158
Italy 1998did not qualify
Croatia 20009th/10th place106204143153
Sweden 2002Third place3 8611212189
Slovenia 2004Third place3 8602240206
Switzerland 2006Third place3 8512253233
Norway 2008Champions1 8701233193
Austria 20105th/6th place57502198184
Serbia 2012Champions1 8602216201
Denmark 2014Runners-up2 8701247222
Poland 20165th/6th place67412195180
Croatia 2018Fourth place48503235215
AustriaNorwaySweden 2020Preliminary round1331118583
HungarySlovakia 2022Third place3 9702274228
Germany 2024Runners-up2 9702281233
DenmarkNorwaySweden 2026Qualified as co-host
SpainPortugalSwitzerland 2028TBD
Czech RepublicDenmarkPoland 2030Qualified as co-host
FranceGermany 2032TBD
Total15/162 Titles1107153430942830
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*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

Summarize
Perspective

Current squad

The squad for the 2025 World Men's Handball Championship.[5][6]

Head coach: Nikolaj Jacobsen

More information No., Pos. ...
No. Pos. Name Date of birth (age) Height App. Goals Club
3 RB Niclas Kirkeløkke (1994-03-26) 26 March 1994 (age 30) 1.95 m 93 180 Germany SG Flensburg-Handewitt
4 LW Magnus Landin Jacobsen (1995-08-20) 20 August 1995 (age 29) 1.97 m 147 273 Germany THW Kiel
7 LW Emil Jakobsen (1998-01-24) 24 January 1998 (age 27) 1.92 m 84 272 Germany SG Flensburg-Handewitt
11 CB Rasmus Lauge (1991-06-20) 20 June 1991 (age 33) 1.93 m 176 435 Denmark Bjerringbro-Silkeborg
12 GK Emil Nielsen (1997-03-10) 10 March 1997 (age 27) 1.95 m 54 6 Spain Barça
15 P Magnus Saugstrup (1996-07-12) 12 July 1996 (age 28) 1.97 m 94 196 Germany SC Magdeburg
16 GK Jannick Green (1988-09-29) 29 September 1988 (age 36) 1.95 m 139 2 France Paris Saint-Germain
19 RB Mathias Gidsel (1999-02-08) 8 February 1999 (age 26) 1.90 m 81 467 Germany Füchse Berlin
20 GK Kevin Møller (1989-06-20) 20 June 1989 (age 35) 2.03 m 82 7 Germany SG Flensburg-Handewitt
21 LB Henrik Møllgaard (1985-01-02) 2 January 1985 (age 40) 1.97 m 228 182 Denmark Aalborg Håndbold
22 CB Mads Mensah Larsen (1991-08-12) 12 August 1991 (age 33) 1.88 m 206 327 Germany SG Flensburg-Handewitt
25 P Lukas Jørgensen (1999-03-31) 31 March 1999 (age 25) 1.93 m 45 130 Germany SG Flensburg-Handewitt
26 RW Jóhan Hansen (1994-05-01) 1 May 1994 (age 30) 1.90 m 95 176 Germany SG Flensburg-Handewitt
28 LB Lasse Andersson (1994-03-11) 11 March 1994 (age 30) 1.96 m 73 84 Germany Füchse Berlin
33 P Emil Bergholt (1997-08-25) 25 August 1997 (age 27) 1.90 m 7 9 Denmark Skjern Håndbold
34 P Simon Hald (1994-09-28) 28 September 1994 (age 30) 2.03 m 98 102 Denmark Aalborg Håndbold
42 CB Thomas Arnoldsen (2002-01-11) 11 January 2002 (age 23) 1.94 m 19 52 Denmark Aalborg Håndbold
43 LB Simon Pytlick (2000-12-11) 11 December 2000 (age 24) 1.91 m 48 209 Germany SG Flensburg-Handewitt
45 RB Emil Madsen (2001-01-01) 1 January 2001 (age 24) 1.94 m 18 37 Germany THW Kiel
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Coaching staff

More information Role, Name ...
RoleName
Head coach Denmark Nikolaj Jacobsen
Assistant coach Denmark Henrik Kronborg
Team manager Denmark Keld Vilhelmsen
Goalkeeping coach Denmark Michael Bruun
Doctor Denmark Morten Storgaard
Bodytherapist Denmark Kristoffer Glavind Kjær
Physiotherapist Denmark Anja David Greve
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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

  Still active national team players are highlighted

Most capped players

More information Player, Games ...
Player Games Position Years
Lars Christiansen338W1992–2012
Hans Lindberg308W2003–
Niklas Landin Jacobsen283GK2008–2024
Mikkel Hansen276OB2007–2024
Lasse Svan Hansen246W2003–2022
Bo Spellerberg245CB2000–2015
Michael V. Knudsen244P1999–2014
Michael Fenger234W1982–1993
Erik Veje Rasmussen233OB1980–1993
Henrik Møllgaard229D, OB2006–2025
Jesper Nøddesbo223P2001–2017
Kasper Hvidt219GK1996–2010
Kay Jørgensen213GK1966–1980
Frank Jørgensen212P1986–1996
Mads Mensah Larsen210CB2011–
Anders Dahl-Nielsen209CB1973–1984
Lars T. Jørgensen192D, OB1999–2010
Kasper Nielsen191D, OB1995–2012
Morten Stig Christensen190OB1976–1988
Joachim Boldsen186CB1998–2008
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Top scorers

More information Player, Goals ...
Player Goals Average Position Years
Lars Christiansen15034.45W1992–2012
Mikkel Hansen13875.03LB2007–2024
Erik Veje Rasmussen10154.37LB1980–1993
Hans Lindberg8092.65W2003–
Michael V. Knudsen7973.27P1999–2014
Anders Dahl-Nielsen6102.92CB1973–1984
Christian Hjermind5953.50W1994–2005
Nikolaj Jacobsen5843.95W1991–2003
Anders Eggert5813.63W2003–2021
Lasse Svan Hansen5722.33W2003–2022
Mathias Gidsel5416.01RB2020–
Michael Fenger5412.31W1982–1993
Søren Stryger4823.19W1998–2007
Rasmus Lauge Schmidt4632.54CB2010–
Jesper Nøddesbo4502.02P2001–2017
Morten Stig Christensen4452.34LB1976–1988
Klavs Bruun Jørgensen4402.37RB1994–2009
Morten Bjerre4322.34RB1992–2005
Lasse Boesen4062.55LB2000–2012
Joachim Boldsen4052.18CB1998–2008
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As of 2 February 2025.

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

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