I’ve touched on the concept of “The Danish Year” before in “How to Live in Denmark.” This is a series of events that, while not formal holidays, are quietly anticipated each year in Denmark. In 2025, I plan to delve deeper into these themes with a podcast every month, exploring how they intertwine with Denmark’s past and future.
September marks the beginning of the fall sports season in Denmark—a time when badminton, volleyball, basketball, and hockey leagues spring to life. Most notably, however, the handball season kicks off. While I may not consider myself a handball enthusiast, I can always tell when the season arrives, thanks to my otherwise unassuming downstairs neighbor, whose enthusiastic cheers and shouts echo through the corridors as he passionately supports Denmark’s handball teams.
Handball is not just a sport in Denmark; it’s a point of national pride. Invented here, it has grown into a shared passion, with Danish teams clinching multiple World Championships and Olympic Gold Medals over the years.
In contrast, the path to glory in football (or soccer, as it’s known in some places) is notably tougher for Denmark. Although the national team celebrated a European Championship victory in 1992—a topic of conversation for any Danish man over 40—securing a gold medal on a global scale remains a challenging feat. Still, with over 300,000 registered football players across amateur, professional, and semi-professional teams in a nation of just 6 million, it’s clear that nearly one in every twenty Danes is part of the football community.
External Funding Fuels Danish Sports
Despite the enthusiasm, many Danish athletes don’t bask in affluence. The standout figures—like badminton champion Viktor Axelsen—have found lucrative opportunities beyond Denmark’s borders. Thanks to badminton’s immense popularity in Asia, Axelsen speaks fluent Mandarin, linking him to a wealth of endorsements from that region.
Similarly, golfing twins Rasmus and Nicolai Højgaard earn their keep on international circuits, especially within the lucrative PGA tour, while Tour de France champion Jonas Vingegaard secures his earnings not just from competitions but also through various international endorsements, complemented by a significant deal with Danish building materials supplier Bygma.
Recreation and Community Sports
When it comes to leisure, many Danes engage in sports during their free time. A bike ride through the streets of Copenhagen often features middle-aged cyclists, clad in Lycra, zipping by with the fervor of a Tour de France contender, bellowing warnings like “From behind!” or “Coming up behind you!” These cyclists, much less celebrated than athletes, have earned a reputation that can be less than favorable among their fellow Danes.
Many participate in what’s colloquially termed “enjoy” sports, where the joy of camaraderie and post-game beers often outweigh the pressure of competition. These leagues promote lifelong engagement with sports, from old boys’ football clubs to senior rowing teams, ensuring fitness that persists long into retirement.
Physical education in Danish schools is rooted in the Viking ethos of sport, yet school sports teams remain largely absent. Instead, sports thrive in clubs, primarily amateur, which allow children to forge friendships outside the confines of their school environments.
This network is linked to Team Denmark, a government initiative aimed at nurturing Denmark’s future sports stars.
The Paradox of Talent Development
It’s a curious contradiction that Denmark fosters elite sports development while also adhering to the Law of Jante—the societal norm that discourages individuals from considering themselves better than others. This cultural tenet permeates Danish workplaces and education systems alike.
In contrast to the realm of sports, where talent is scouted from a young age, academically gifted students in Denmark are often encouraged to remain modest, receiving little support beyond traditional classes. Unlike countries such as Germany or the UK, Denmark doesn’t track children academically at a young age. Many can drift along in school until their late teens, at which point they may suddenly pivot toward demanding university programs like medicine or international business.
Meanwhile, in sports, the hunt for talent begins early, with local clubs collaborating with Team Denmark to cultivate a steady pipeline of young talent.
Narrow Focus on Winning Sports
For the past four decades, Team Denmark has strategically assessed and updated its support for various sports, always aligning its focus on those where Denmark stands a favorable chance of success. Currently, the nation’s attention is on badminton, handball, cycling, and water sports like sailing, kayaking, swimming, and rowing. With an extensive coastline that rivals India’s, Denmark has a strong maritime sporting heritage.
A Clear Pathway to Elite Sports
By age 13, promising athletes are often invited to join talent centers or elite sports schools. At 15, they can pursue specialized tracks in secondary education, designed to accommodate their training and competition schedules. Even Danish universities offer support by providing flexibility around academic obligations for these athletes, ensuring they can balance their dual careers.
Some companies even extend part-time internships to elite athletes, allowing them to maintain a foothold in their civilian careers while chasing their sporting dreams.
The Return of Jante Law
However, once an athlete achieves success, the Law of Jante reasserts its influence. Danish sports figures who taste victory are expected to share the accolades, acknowledging their teammates and coaches. They often defer their personal achievements, saying things like, “I may have won a bronze, but I could have easily come in fourth.”
Remaining rooted in Denmark is another expectation; athletes are anticipated to contribute to the nation’s tax base. Viktor Axelsen faced public discontent when he relocated to Dubai—a decision he attributed to better flight connections in Asia and favorable weather for his asthma. Still, whispers of the disparity between 52% income tax for high earners in Denmark and 0% in Dubai were hard to ignore.
The archetype of a successful Danish athlete might be Michael Laudrup, who graced European football in the 1990s, embodying humility despite his accolades. Now retired, he has returned to Denmark to oversee a wine business and provide insight as a TV commentator, all while dutifully contributing to Danish taxes.
This, in sum, is the landscape of sporting success in one of the world’s most egalitarian nations.
