Denmark preview: Reigning world champs… favored at home?
As we move closer and closer to the IPCH European Championships 2024, Claus Vestergaard previews each team in order of the World Ranking List. In this edition, he shares his insights on the Danish team.
Almost exactly 2 years ago, Anders Berenth rounded the net and slottet home the sudden-death overtime goal that secured Denmark the title of world champions. Not many gave them much of a chance of beating the Dutch side who had been completely dominant up to that point of the tournament. But a disciplined defense along with the individual brilliance of Berenth and Best Handstick prize-winner Alexander Pedersen was enough to sneak by the Dutch juggernaut.
Now the reigning world champions set their sights on the European championship. The tournament will take place at a familiar site for the Danes: Musholm Bay Sport and Conference center, which also hosts the majority of the teams practice sessions.
Reigning world champions and having home court? That should make Denmark the clear favorite this time around. And yet… one has a hard time ignoring the Dutch, Italians and Germans when it comes to pointing to a pre-tournament favorite. Out of habit, if nothing else. Even the Swiss have been in great form lately.
In addition, the time following the 2022 triumph has been rocky for the Danish team. Head Coach Rasmus Yder chose to resign following the tournament, and for a while the team struggled to find the right match for a replacement. Ultimately Yder has recently been brought back for another run, this time as half of a coaching duo alongside Nicklas Charlton.
On the other hand, the Danish roster itself is the model of stability: Denmark brings 90% of its World Championship squad, and 100% of its starting lineup to this tournament. In addition, Denmark received a kind draw, landing in group B, on paper, the weaker of the two groups, and should be able to make it through to the playoffs.
With a relatively clear path to the semi finals, absolutely anything can happen. A rematch against the Dutch at some point in the playoffs is likely. That would be a dream-scenario for PCH fans, and enough to keep the Dutch up at night. Afterall, in the previous two knock-out matchups between the two, the Danes have stood victorious.