Denmark emerged victorious in the European men’s handball championship for the first time in over a decade, claiming the title with a decisive 34-27 win against Germany in the final held in Herning on Sunday night.
As co-hosts and reigning world champions, the Danes entered the match as favorites and swiftly proved their dominance, falling behind for just a fleeting minute in the first half.
Leading the charge was the formidable Mathias Gidsel. The 26-year-old star netted seven goals in the final, driving his tournament total to an impressive 68—an achievement that shatters the previous European Championship record of 65, set by Norway’s Sander Sagosen in 2020.
Throughout the match, Germany found themselves continually on the back foot, a challenge compounded by red cards shown to key players Tom Kiesler and Jannik Kohlbacher.
“We can take pride in our performance today and throughout the tournament,” remarked German captain Johannes Golla. “Even in the face of adversity, we never gave up. If you look solely at the score, it might seem like a lopsided match, but it was much more competitive than that.”
Golla emphasized the strides his team has made since suffering a 39-26 defeat to Denmark in the 2024 Olympic final. “We can leave here with our heads held high compared to then,” he stated. “However, we must acknowledge that it simply wasn’t enough today.”
Germany’s All-Star Recognition
Golla himself earned a spot on the tournament’s all-star team, alongside fellow German standout, goalkeeper Andreas Wolff—who outperformed Denmark’s Emil Nielsen in the process.
“In naming Johannes and Andreas to the all-star team, we’re recognizing their leadership, especially during challenging moments,” remarked Ingo Meckes, director of sport at the German Handball Federation (DHB). “However, this acknowledgment also reflects the collective effort of the entire team. Each of the 18 players played a vital role; such achievements don’t happen in isolation.”
As handball retains its status as Germany’s second most popular team sport after football, the squad looks ahead with optimism toward the 2027 World Championship, which they will host in cities including Cologne, Munich, Kiel, Hanover, Magdeburg, and Stuttgart.
Edited by: Dmytro Hubenko
