With three victories in as many matches, Denmark progressed to the main round of European under 20 championship in Austria. Since they are current World champions, it is all but surprise. Despite victories against Serbia, Estonia and Switzerland, coach Claus Hansen isn’t that much satisfied with the way things are playing in Traun, little place nearby Linz.
– We have hard time getting on right way in the matches, and that’s just what we talked about in the lockeroom. When we go to next matches we simple have to get better from start. Otherwise, I don’t want to underestimate Switzerland or Serbia, because they are good teams and played great matches and Switzerland has so many young players, but still, when we meet stronger teams, coming from behind 4-5 goal could be crucial and in the end have consequence and we could stay without semifinals.
Their defense is something to admire. With 60 goals in Frandsen’s and Jensen’s net, they are by far the best in whole tournament (Germany 69, Sweden 70…). In the last game against Swiss guys, it seemed like they had problems with shooters Küttel and Maros, especially in the beginning…
– I had the same feeling – recognizes coach Hansen…
– But I looked at scoreboard and they scored 4 goals for 15 minutes. Nevertheless I still think we could be better in defense, we are not using enough our legs, we need to move better.
Niclas Kirkeløkke, one of the best right backs in tournament, made difference in second half. We noticed this player last year in Hungary, you could tell right way that he’s the guy, if he keeps developing, for senior national team. Watching him play you could sense there is something special about this player. Last season in Gudme, where he played a lot, and nearby Snorri Gudjonsson, obviously helped him a lot. He scored 97 goals during season (21 in playoffs).
Christian Jensen, on right wing, is another player who used last season in best possible way. With Lennartson leaving Aalborg, and Stig Bugge’s problems with injuries, he played a lot under great coach Nikolaj Jacobsen, now in charge of Rhein Neckar Löwen. Jensen is 8 for 10 in two games played here (Landin and Jensen rested agains Estonia). Too bad Kildelund isn’t here because of injury, he had excellent season with Kirkeløkke in Gudme, also playing a lot (Mark Strandgaard got injured).
Denmark’s backrow with Kirkeløkke – Stoklund – Holst Jensen has big advantage because they don’t need to change offense – defence, coach Hanses in that case uses Landin as ‘second’ in defense, moving Stoklund at wing position because of his height. But after 15-16 minutes, coach Hansen turns to his bench, and regardless of the scoreboard, changes usually complete back row. That makes us wondering – what is important for Danes at this kind of tournaments?
– The most important thing for us is to create players for senior national team. We play with all of them because we pick those 16 players, we believe in them. We don’t focus on one player, rather on many of them. We still don’t know which one will be for national team, so that’s why we want to get international experience for all of them.
There is hardly any better if you can mix giving players so many chances, and in the same time wining bunch of games.
– We are training very much individually, not that much collective, maybe it sounds paradox when we had been that successful lately, but the main thing is to develop players, not to get result. Main thing is that they should became senior team players one day.
Looking at their current roster, which has enormous talent, Danish handball future looks bright. Now they only have to keep working. Talent without work, doesn’t matter how bright is, won’t get you anywhere…
MILAN KRASIC
