Helle Thomsen's Denmark Crush Icelandic Minnows 39-23

Denmark women's handball squad

Denmark's women's handball team, led by new coach Helle Thomsen, wins 39-23 against Iceland in a friendly match, testing new players and strategies ahead of the World Championships.

Helle Thomsen faces a significant challenge ahead of the World Championships...

Denmark's women's handball team, led by new coach Helle Thomsen, marked her debut with a resounding 39-23 victory over Iceland. The match, played in Frederikshavn, showcased Denmark's dominance as they outplayed and outscored their Icelandic counterparts. The significant win was expected given the difference in class between the two teams.

Under Thomsen's guidance, Denmark demonstrated their strength and skill, with their players working together seamlessly to secure a convincing victory. The win sets a positive tone for Thomsen's tenure as the team's coach, and fans will be eager to see how she builds on this success in future matches.

Denmark dominated the match from the start, creating a significant lead of over ten goals by halftime. Iceland's resistance was minimal, making it challenging for coaches Helle Thomsen and Bojana Popovic to assess their team's strengths and weaknesses. The Danish defense appeared disorganized in the first half, struggling to adapt to Thomsen's experimental defensive approach.

Thomsen's unconventional defensive strategy may require more time to fine-tune if Denmark plans to implement it at the upcoming World Championships. Despite the struggles, the match provided valuable experience for the Danish team, allowing them to test new tactics and identify areas for improvement. As Denmark looks to build on this performance, the coaching staff will likely analyze the game footage to refine their strategy and make necessary adjustments.

After the break, Denmark's game transformed from scrappy to effortless, with the team dominating the match and effortlessly creating scoring opportunities. The visitors, however, struggled to keep pace. Despite Denmark's initial lack of focus and numerous mistakes, their superior skill ultimately shone through.

Helle Thomsen faces a significant challenge ahead of the World Championships: finding suitable replacements for Kathrine Heindahl and the Iversen twins, Rikke and Sarah, who are all out due to pregnancy. To address this, Thomsen tested new players in the line position during Saturday's match against Iceland. Denmark's women's handball team has undergone changes under Thomsen's leadership, including the appointment of a four-player captaincy comprising Trine Østergaard, Anne Mette Hansen, Mie Højlund, and Anna Kristensen. This move aims to distribute responsibilities and provide support among players.

Sofie Bardrum, a newcomer to the senior national team, showcased her impressive skills in the attack, leveraging her physique to create scoring opportunities effortlessly. She split playing time with Nanna Hinnerfeldt, who brings a well-rounded game to the table, exceling in both attack and defense.

Denmark's next challenge under coach Helle Thomsen will be a double header in October, facing off against the Czech Republic and Turkey. This upcoming series will be a crucial test for the team as they continue to fine-tune their strategy and build momentum under Thomsen's guidance.