Denmark seized control from the outset in the European Championship final against Germany, maintaining their grip throughout the match. In a thrilling showdown, Mathias Gidsel and his teammates celebrated a decisive 34-27 victory.
Photo: Thomas Traasdahl/Ritzau Scanpix via AP / NTB
Published: February 1, 2026
In a stunning turn of events, Sander Sagosen is no longer the highest-scoring player in an EC final for men’s handball. During the match in Herning, it was Gidsel who eclipsed his record.
The final at Boxen unfolded in a tightly contested manner, yet the Danes ultimately showcased their superiority. “Denmark is the world’s best handball team. There is no doubt about that,” asserted Viaplay expert Kristian Kjelling.
Gidsel and Simon Pytlick significantly fueled Denmark’s offensive efforts, while goalkeeper Kevin Møller was a formidable barrier against German attacks. Møller stepped up early when star Emil Nielsen struggled to find his rhythm, but Nielsen soon reclaimed his position, making several critical saves.
Ahead of the clash with Germany, Gidsel, a professional with Füchse Berlin, boasted an impressive 61 goals throughout the tournament. He swiftly enhanced that tally, making handball history by netting seven goals in the final, bringing his total to 68.
Record Broken
Previously, the record for the most goals in a single European Championship belonged to Sander Sagosen, who recorded 65 goals during the 2020 tournament. Now, Sagosen must concede his title to Gidsel. Meanwhile, Portuguese player Francisco Costa ended this year’s championship with 61 goals, securing the third spot in the all-time rankings. North Macedonian Kiril Lazarov also made a mark in previous years, achieving a similar feat.
At the same time, Pytlick made his own history, finishing the tournament with 62 goals and placing among the all-time greats. Gidsel, meanwhile, had already been named the tournament’s Most Valuable Player prior to the final.
Tension in the Arena
The pivotal moment for Gidsel came after halftime. Up to that point, the match had been closely contested, with Denmark leading 18-16 amidst an electrifying atmosphere in Boxen. Following the break, Denmark maintained their advantage and steadily widened the gap against the Germans.
With this victory, Denmark claimed its first European Championship title since 2012 and its third overall. Head coach Nikolaj Jacobsen has now guided his team to gold in the European Championship, World Championship, and Olympics. “I am almost at a loss for words. Sometimes you have to dare to dream big. Hats off to my boys. They have truly matured during this tournament,” Jacobsen reflected to Danish TV 2 after their victory.
Following this success, Denmark stands as the reigning champion across European, Olympic, and World Cup competitions.
However, Germany faced significant challenges, losing key player Tom Kiesler to a red card before the first half concluded. The referees issued the card after reviewing a video incident involving Gidsel. In the closing minutes, Jannik Kohlbacher also received a red card, further complicating Germany’s efforts in Herning.
