Denmark claims Olympic handball gold with decisive win over Germany in final

Denmark’s handball team has emerged as Olympic champions after a decisive victory over Germany in the final, winning 39-26. The match was characterized by a significant class difference, with Denmark showcasing a compact and focused defense while the offense operated seamlessly. By halftime, Denmark had established a commanding nine-goal lead, which was further solidified in the second half.

With this victory, Denmark completed the Olympic handball tournament with an impressive record of eight wins in eight games. The final also marked the end of the international careers of notable players Mikkel Hansen and Niklas Landin, both of whom celebrated their retirement with Olympic gold medals—Hansen’s second in his career.

In a stellar performance, goalkeeper Niklas Landin started in his last match, while Germany’s Andreas Wolff faced an intense Danish offense from the onset. The Danish team quickly took control, with Simon Pytlick scoring early and Niclas Kirkeløkke contributing significantly, while Mikkel Hansen entered the game and smoothly converted a penalty shot shortly after.

Despite a brief effort from Germany, who called a timeout trailing 21-10, Denmark maintained its dominance. The Danish left side was particularly effective, leading to a substantial gap, and by the closing minutes, the team was comfortably ahead. Mathias Gidsel ended the tournament as the top scorer with a total of 62 goals, while Denmark recorded the largest ever victory in men’s Olympic handball history, surpassing the previous record set by the Soviet Union in 1988. The championship victory further solidified Denmark’s status in the sport.