Danish national team coach fears grueling travelling schedule at EURO in December

Helle Thomsen and the Danish national team could be forced to travel a lot during the EHF EURO in December
Helle Thomsen and the Danish national team could be forced to travel a lot during the EHF EURO in DecemberCredit: Lau Nielsen / Gonzales Photo / Profimedia

The Danish women's handball team was pitted against Spain, Turkey, and Greece when the draw was made today for the European Championship final round in December.

Since one of the opponents is the European Championship co-host, Turkey, it also means that Denmark will have to play the opening group stage in Antalya, Turkey.

That became clear after Thursday's draw for the tournament in Katowice, Poland, where 24 countries were divided into six different groups with four teams in each.

Turkey is one of five hosts for the European Championship final round. The other four hosts are Poland, Romania, the Czech Republic, and Slovakia.

Denmark may have to travel a lot during the European Championship final round. If Denmark advances from the opening group stage, an intermediate round awaits in Romania. A possible final weekend will be played in Poland.

National coach Helle Thomsen is upset about the prospect of many travel days at the final round, but she is not at all intimidated by the opposition in the opening group stage.

"There are advantages and disadvantages to it all. We had hoped to avoid Turkey, because it costs two travel days, but we can't do anything about that."

"We will probably win the group, but in the intermediate round, it will be difficult against Romania, who will be strong at home, as well as the matches against Norway and Hungary."

"To get into the last four, we have to be able to beat everyone, but we had hoped to avoid two travel days, says Helle Thomsen to the association's website.

The national coach estimates that Denmark will have to fight against Norway, Romania, and Hungary in the intermediate round to be among the two best teams that will advance to the semi-finals.

The European Championship final round will be played from 3 to 20 December.