The last match of the Main Round
The last match of the main round of the European Handball Championship has it all. No lesser teams meet than the world champion and the Olympic champion. Denmark against France, not much more is possible in world handball. It is quite conceivable that this encounter will be played out again in the final, but there is still a long way to go until then, especially for the Equipe Tricolore.
The Danes can be quite relaxed about this match. With 8:0 points they lead the ranking of the main round group I and are already safely in the semi-finals. The only question is whether they will enter the medal round as first or second in the group. Even a draw is enough for the world champions to clinch the group victory.
For France, the situation is not that complicated either. They currently have 6:2 points. With a win, they will pass the Vikings and win the group. A draw would certainly be enough for second place. With a defeat, however, the French can miss out on the semi-finals if Iceland wins against Montenegro in the afternoon
The pressure is clearly on the shoulders of Les Bleus. However, this experienced team has proven many times in many battles in recent years that they can handle pressure. Nevertheless, they are considered slight underdogs against the world champions and we also tend to bet on a victory for the Vikings in the match between Denmark and France.
Denmark – Statistics & current form
The Danes are once again the team to beat at this European Handball Championship if they want to win the title. The Danes are the only team to have won all their six tournament matches so far. Nikolaj Jacobsen’s team is still considered the top favourite for the European Championship title. The Vikings have the great quality of always being able to go one better in close matches.
You can rely on Mikkel Hansen
That goes for keeper Niklas Landin, but especially for superstar Mikkel Hansen, who almost single-handedly dispatched the Croats in the main round, for example. The Danes’ last defeat was in the final of the Olympic Games in Tokyo, against France of all countries. It is hardly conceivable that the Vikings will therefore only be half-hearted on Wednesday, even if coach Nikolaj Jacobsen has clearly shifted the priorities towards the semi-finals.
Since that defeat in the Olympic final, however, there have been ten wins in a row, including a test match against the Equipe Tricolore. In the European Championship, there have been no major difficulties in all six games so far. The closest was the two-goal win against the Croats. Therefore, before the duel between Denmark and France, we mainly look at the odds on a victory for the world champions.
In terms of personnel, things are looking very good for the Danes. Right winger Johan Hansen had to leave with an injury and was replaced by Hans Lindberg. The 40-year-old from the Füchse Berlin can’t help the team at the moment either, because he is the only one in the Danish team who tested positive at the European Championship and had to go into quarantine.
The squad of Denmark:
Goal: N. Landin, Green, Möller
Back: Lauge, Mensah Larsen, Möllgaard, M. Hansen, Andersson, Mensing, Holm, Kirkelökke, Gidsel
Left wing: M. Landin, E. Jakobsen
Right wing: Svan, Lindberg
Circle: Antonsen, Saugstrup, Toft Hansen, Hald
Coach: N. Jakobsen
Last matches of Denmark:
European Championships Main Round Grp. 1
01/24 2022 – Denmark 35 – 23 Netherlands
01/22 2022 – Denmark 27 – 25 Croatia
01/20 2022 – Denmark 28 – 24 Iceland
European Championships Preliminary Round Grp. A
01/17 2022 – North Macedonia 21 – 31 Denmark
01/15 2022 – Slovenia 23 – 34 Denmark
France – Statistics & current form
A team like France is always capable of anything. Numerous titles and medals from recent years show that the Equipe Tricolore is used to playing the big matches. Moreover, they are also capable of playing them successfully. However, Les Bleus hope that a successful match will not necessarily be necessary against the world champions. If Iceland do not win against Montenegro in the afternoon, the French would be in the semi-finals before the kick-off of their own match.
Only one weakness in the tournament
The Olympic champions have not allowed themselves any major periods of weakness so far at the European Championships. With three victories against Croatia, Ukraine and Serbia, the team made it through the preliminary round with ease. There, the freshly-playing Dutch were first outclassed by ten goals before the collapse came against Iceland. The French hardly managed anything and lost by eight goals. You have to think back a long time when that last happened to the French.
On Monday, however, they showed their good side again and scored an important victory against Montenegro. The game was decided early on and Les Bleus were able to save some energy, which they will need against the world champions. Nevertheless, we agree with the bookmakers tested and tend to predict a Danish victory between Denmark and France.
With Ludovic Fabregas and Karl Konan, two players have returned from quarantine against Montenegro. It is also possible that Kentin Mahe will be able to play again in this tournament if he tests negative. The same goes for coach Guillaume Gille, who missed his team’s last two matches because he had to isolate himself from the team after testing positive.
The France squad:
Goal: Gerard, Pardin, Desbonnet
Backs: Minne, Lagarde, Karabatic, Mahe, Konan, Briet, Richardson, Mem
Left wing: Descat, Nahi
Right wing: Lenne, Porte, Kounkoud
Circle: Tournat, Fabregas, Monar
Coach: Gille
Last matches played by France:
European Championships Main Round Grp. 1
01/24 2022 – Montenegro 27 – 36 France
01/22 2022 – France 21 – 29 Iceland
01/20 2022 – France 34 – 24 Netherlands
European Championships Preliminary Round Grp. C
01/17 2022 – France 29 – 25 Serbia
01/15 2022 – France 36 – 23 Ukraine
Denmark – France Direct comparison / H2H balance
Denmark vs France, this is a perennial duel in the final rounds of major tournaments. For years, both teams have been among the best in the world and it is no surprise that these two great powers also make their mark on the European Championship. Since 2005, there have been 27 matches between these two teams. The direct comparison in this period is in favour of the Equipe Tricolore with 14:11 victories and two draws.
The last big match was the final of the Olympic Games in Tokyo in the summer, incidentally the second Olympic final between these two teams in a row. France won the gold medal in Japan after a 25:23 victory. The first Danish revenge came back in November, when Nikolaj Jacobsen’s team won a test match with a clear 31:26 victory.
Denmark – France tip
The anticipation for this match could hardly be greater. The world champions challenge the Olympic champions in a rematch of the Olympic final. For the Danes, however, it is not yet all about everything. Nicolaj Jacobsen will therefore look to ensure that his players do not play too many minutes in order to be fresh in the semifinals.
Nevertheless, the Danes would like to eliminate Equipe Tricolore, as they currently have ten wins to their name, but before that it was France who inflicted a defeat on the world champions. If the Vikings have to fear one opponent, perhaps even in a possible final, it is the French. This is another reason why we think the Danes will seize the opportunity and flex their muscles. We therefore still lean towards a tip on a Danish success between Denmark and France.
Maybe all the tension before this clash will dissolve in the afternoon. If Iceland don’t win against Montenegro, the Danes and the French will use this last group match as a final test for the semi-finals. However, we see the Vikings as stronger in this case as well and have decided to play the betting odds on a victory for the world champions between Denmark and France.
