#1 in handball in the world
Schmid explains what is behind the Danish dominance
The nation of six million folks dominates the handball world. Danish skilled Andy Schmid explains how this is potential.
Published: 02/01/2023 21:21
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Denmark’s handball world champions had been celebrated on Monday in Copenhagen.
Denmark made handball historical past in Stockholm on Sunday: Nicolai Jakobsen’s (51) group grew to become the first nation to win three consecutive gold medals at the World Championships. In fashionable handball, solely France has received 4 World Cups in 5 tournaments (2009, 2011, 2015 and 2017) like the Danes.
Swiss handball star Andy Schmid (39) says that it is not an image {that a} nation with a inhabitants of about six million is lagging behind large nations like France, Spain or Germany 12 months after 12 months. “Sport – particularly handball – is deeply rooted in the Danish system and mentality. Children are inspired to play as quickly as they enter faculty,” defined Schmid, who performed for Danish membership Bjerringbro-Silkeborg in the 2009/10 season and was voted finest participant.
There are 5 occasions extra handball gamers than in Switzerland
The Danish league is prime for each women and men. Clubs cannot hold maintain of heavyweights like Barcelona or Veszprém financially, however they deal with kids higher. “So much of former gamers come again after their careers and are concerned as junior coaches,” says Schmid. “Denmark has 125,000 licensed handball gamers, 5 occasions greater than Switzerland.”
Among the many gifted factories, GOG stands out. All the greats of Danish handball, from at this time’s nationwide coach Nikolaj Jakobsen to celebrity Mikkel Hansen (35) to goalkeeper extraordinaire Niklas Landin (34), as soon as ran to the membership in the village of Gudme with a inhabitants of 1,000.
The subsequent era is already right here
With backcourt gamers Simon Pitlik (22) and Mathias Gidsel (23), the subsequent era of the GOG faculty made their mark on the World Cup: Pitlik was voted into the All-Star group, and Gidsel was voted MVP. “The achievements of the nationwide groups additional elevated the already nice reputation of handball. Teenagers need to imitate their idols. Pitlik and Gidsel are the finest examples of this,” says Schmid. While Gidsel Fuchsen has brought on a sensation in Berlin, different Bundesliga golf equipment are lining up on GOG for Pitlik’s switch.
So, is Denmark undefeated for years to return? Schmid believes: “As lengthy as Landin is in purpose, the Danes will all the time play for gold. They produce other good goalkeepers, however he is in a league of his personal.” (cm)
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