Denmark got the final confident boost with a surefire performance, 38–24 versus Greece. Meanwhile, the coach Nicolaj Jacobsen used the opportunity to test some new dispositions.
– I think we solve it really well in defense in the first half, and we also play in a lineup that doesn’t have that many minutes in their legs together, he told TV2 afterwards.
With six days remaining to the home premiere in Herning, the red and white favourite lacked some concentration. Then again practice can make perfect and nothing can be said until it really matters versus tough opposition.
On the plus side in the huge win over a non-qualified European nation Denmark got some positive input from two championship debutants.
Mads Svane (Bjerringbro-Silkeborg) proved productive from the start with back court actions and Frederik Bo Andersen (HSV Hamburg) showed some speed from the right wing.
The usual suspects were gradually introduced, Mathias Geisel played only the second half with several goals and assists to follow.
All in all, Jacobsen had reason to sum up a quality game.
– We just had a small period in the first half where we slowed down too much, but otherwise it was handled really well.
In the second half it was a bit the opposite, where I think we handled the attack really well, but had a period where we didn’t cover as well as I had hoped, but we got it right in the end. Many good minutes today, he said.
For Svane, the match Golden League match in Netherlands ended with a painful knee experience in a duel that caused him to leave the game before half-time.
His comment afterwards seemed to calm down the worries.
– It hurts a lot, but I’m also very confident. It was knee to knee, so it’s just a blow. It’s very sore, but I’ll be fine, Svane told TV2.
Denmark–Greece 38–24 (18–11)