At China 2024 Denmark recorded their second highest-ever rank at an IHF Women’s Beach Handball World Championship when they just fell short of winning a medal, ending up in fourth place on Pingtan Island.

Up until the semi-finals, the Danes looked unstoppable, winning seven games in a row, conceding just two sets in victories against Netherlands, Norway, USA, Greece, Germany and Brazil (set were conceded against Netherlands in the preliminary round and Brazil in the main round).

However, both the Netherlands and Germany came back to get their revenge – title-holders from 2022 and eventual 2024 champions Germany winning via shoot-out in their semi-final and then the Dutch taking a 2-0 bronze medal win.

The influential Line Larsen was voted as MVP in the All-star Team but that will be of little comfort as the Danes look to add a second global medal to their existing ANOC World Beach Games title, won by in 2019 and of which they are still title-holders of. The Danes also finished in fourth spot at The World Games 2025 after losing the bronze medal match against Spain 2-0 (20:16, 18:10).

Golds have come on a continental level, with a 2023 European Games podium-topping performance and EHF EURO gold in 2019, but following an EHF EURO silver in 2021, those medal positions have been lacking, with a fifth place at the 2025 EHF EURO their ticket to Croatia 2026, after they beat Greece in the 5/6 placement match 2-0.

Coach Holmen has named a squad featuring a mix of youth and experience featuring just one goalkeeper, including Cecillie Kjaer Lindgaard, Dicte Sonderskov Andersen, Ditte Folden Vind, Emma Mogensen, Frida Nygaard Ulrichsen, Ida Winding, Line Berggren Larsen, Maria Krogh Holm, Marianne Haugsted and Rikke Dahl Nielsen. 

One big name missing compared to China 2024 is Line Gyldenlove Kristensen who retired last year.

“We have selected an exciting squad that stands out a bit from previous ones. It is a gamble to only take one goalkeeper with you, but sometimes big titles also require big bets. We are still chasing the world championship title that is missing from our collection,” said coach Morten Frandsen Holmen.

“We are coming to Croatia 2026 with an exciting team, which initially has a goal of reaching a quarter-final. I know it will be a tough road to get there. Our (possible) main round in particular looks difficult, but I have good faith that we can solve that task.

“The biggest favourites must be Germany, Spain, Brazil, the Netherlands, Argentina and Norway as they really have some teams, but we have also shown on several occasions that at our best, we can play right up to them and that is what we are chasing every time we take to the sand.”

For their preliminary group, Denmark have been drawn to play Philippines and debutants Benin – both of whom they have not played yet – plus 2024 silver medallists Argentina, of which they have played twice, winning one and losing one.

Coach: Morten Frandsen Holmen 

Key Players: Line Berggren Larsen, Freja Hammer

Qualification information: 2025 EHF Women’s European Beach Handball Championship – 5th

History in Tournament: 2004-2008: DNQ, 2010: 2nd, 2012: 2nd, 2014: 7th, 2016: DNQ, 2018: 5th, 2022: 5th, 2024: 4th

Group at Croatia 2026: Group D: Argentina, Denmark, Philippines, Benin