One of the most consistent teams in recent years in women’s handball, Denmark, have climbed on the podium in all major competitions since 2021 – a streak which they will certainly aim to maintain at the 27th IHF Women’s World Championship.

While Denmark are by any means new to success – opening their medal account in the second edition of the women’s flagship event – between 2000 and 2020 they have only made the top three on five occasions – twice at the EHF EURO, twice at the Olympic Games and only once at the World Championship. 

This took a turn in 2020, when Jesper Jensen was appointed head coach, leading the side to the podium five times in five years. From 1 July 2025, Jensen was replaced by another Danish coach, Helle Thomsen, who will be expected not only to follow her predecessor’s success but to go even further. 

“I look forward to taking all the best from the team and the culture that Jesper Jensen and Lars Jørgensen have created on and around the team, and hopefully adding some layers to it so that we can become even better,” said the 54-year-old coach when she was appointed officially in April. 

Thomsen has plenty of experience, starting her coaching career in 2001, then quickly climbing her way to the top, as the head coach of the Sweden national team, between 2014 and 2015, and then with the Netherlands’ national team, between 2016 and 2019, where she won three medals in major international competitions, including the bronze at the 2017 IHF Women’s World Championship.

The new coach will still rely on the core of players that embodied Denmark’s success in the last years. Anne Mette Hansen is slated to make her sixth World Championship appearance and will be a barometer in attack, alongside left wing Emma Friis and back Kristina Jørgensen. In addition, Denmark’s traditional strength, the defence, will be further boosted between the posts, with Anna Kristensen being on the rise after being named the MVP at the EHF EURO 2024, where Denmark won the silver medal.  

Still, Denmark will have to find a way to make room for some new blood in their squad, especially since they will miss some key players. The biggest challenge will be covering the line player position, as Sarah and Rikke Iversen are out, while Kathrine Heindahl, who recently gave birth, might be in the squad, but after a lengthy absence.

At Germany/Netherlands 2025, Denmark feature in the well-balanced Group A and will have to stay consistent to confirm their status as group favourites. History against Croatia, Romania and Japan is on their side, but all sides will try to make the best of their matches and surprises cannot be ruled out – something that the previous World Championship also showed, with Denmark conceding a loss against Japan in the main round on their home court, in Herning. 

The first test for Helle Thomsen and Bojana Popović – who was appointed assistant coach a month ago – was positive, with Denmark beating Iceland, 39:23, while in October the team will be tested at the EHF EURO Cup, giving the coaches more to think about and fine-tuning their squad.

Key players: Anna Kristensen (goalkeeper), Anne Mette Hansen (left back), Emma Friis (left wing)

Qualification for GER/NED 2025: EHF EURO 2024 runners-up

History in tournament: 1957: 5th, 1962: 2nd, 1965: 5th, 1971: 6th, 1973: 7th, 1975: 9th, 1990: 10th, 1993: 2nd, 1995: 3rd, 1997: 1st, 1999: 6th, 2001: 4th, 2003: 13th, 2005: 4th, 2009: 5th, 2011: 4th, 2013: 3rd, 2015: 6th, 2017: 6th, 2019: 9th, 2021: 3rd, 2023: 3rd 

Group at GER/NED 2025: Group A (Denmark, Romania, Japan, Croatia)