Denmark - France 20-17 (11-7)

By Rasmus Holm Thomsen
The Danish spectators and the announcer were once again the eighth player on the Danish team. The match against France turned into a true drama where details settled the match. It was not polished handball the spectators witnessed but nervousness and intensity.

It was a match for the defence. In both ends of the court the players fought for every ball. Denmark played an efficient 6-0 defence, while the French offence was more offensive and had many steals. Later, France marked two of the Danish players which staggered the Danish offence. The play became chaotic and messy, and the match turned into a fight on will and energy. Supported by 4,200 enthusiastic spectators Denmark won the draw.

Both teams started out very nervously and after 15 minutes the score was 3-3. Karin Mortensen's world class saves, including one 7-meter save, in only eight minutes ensured that Denmark did not fall behind in the first part of the match. Denmark played patiently and inventively but was torn apart by a physical and efficient French defence. The hard French play resulted in many Danish 7-meter throws, but Denmark missed four in first half.

In the end of the second half, Winnie Mølgaard and Rikke Hørlykke were sent on the court, and they did indeed make up for yesterday's mediocre performance. Especially Rikke Hørlykke showed spirit and determination and controlled the offence well. Perhaps the Danish variety of talents broke the French and gave Denmark a lead at half time at 11-7.

The pace was, if possible, even higher in the second half than in the first half and sometimes the players could not keep up. The mess seemed to increase by both teams' substitutions in the defence as well as the offence. The offence was chaotic especially during the Danish player minority. Still, in critical periods the Danish players succeeded miraculously in getting the ball behind a well-playing Valerie Nicolas.

Much was at stake and Jan Pytlick had difficulty in letting go of Kim Jensen when Camilla Thomsen scored after 58 minutes to 20-16. The exultation was not any less among the Danish players and officials, when the Hungarian referees blew their whistles for the last time with the score board showing 20-17.