Fiery win against Montenegro helps Denmark seal semi-finals berth

Denmark’s superior depth and experience were the key factors in the quarter-final win against Montenegro, 26:24, as the Scandinavian side has now ensured a finish between the top four sides at the IHF Women’s World Championship for the ninth time in history.

QUARTER-FINALS
Denmark vs Montenegro 26:24 (13:10)

Having won the previous three mutual matches against Montenegro and playing at home in front of over 12,000 fans, Denmark looked like favourites in this quarter-final, the last one at the 2023 IHF Women’s World Championship, especially as their opponents were one of the two sides in this phase of the competition which had previously lost two matches so far at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023.

But Montenegro are renowned for thriving on their underdog status and this is exactly what they did in the first 20 minutes of the match, with a superb defence stopping Denmark’s excellent attack, which placed third in the previous six matches in terms of goals scored and efficiency in the competition.

Yet Denmark had more depth and experience in their squad and this is what tilted the balance into their favour at the end of the first 30 minutes, when they were leading by three goals, 13:10, after Kathrine Heindahl scored a last-gasp goal, with a converted fast break, which came after a missed chance by Jelena Despotovic.

However, Montenegro were still in the match, especially as their strong start, powered by a 50% saving efficiency from goalkeeper Marina Rajcic helped Bojana Popovic’s side even take the lead after 15 minutes, 7:6. But when Denmark’s goalkeeper, Sandra Toft, managed to start improving her saving tally, the co-hosts looked unstoppable.

Toft had six saves for a 38% saving efficiency in the first half, as Denmark used a 3:0 unanswered run to create their first three-goal lead, 12:9, as Montenegto failed to score for six minutes and 57 seconds, as the first cracks in their armour started to show, both in attack and defence.

And while key stars like Kristina Jorgensen and Anne Mette Hansen alternated on the court, being well-rested by coach Jesper Jensen, Denmark powered to another excellent start in the first half, opening a five-goal gap, 15:10, which proved to be unassailable in the end of the match.

But it was not for Montenegro’s lack of trying. Popovic’s side fell behind by seven goals at one point, but their usual fighting spirit re-emerged and forced Denmark to fight until the end for the win. At one point, Montenegro was close to cut the gap to three goals, but Toft was once again fantastic, denying a clear chance, to keep a 22:18 Denmark lead, with 11 minutes to go.

Montenegro could only cut the gap to two goals, 22:20, as Denmark eventually had enough in the tank to stay alive and prevent another heartbreak in the Jyske Bank Boxen in this phase of the competition, like eight years ago, when they were eliminated by Romania. Another save from Toft, who finished the match with 16 saves and a 41% saving efficiency stopped Montenegro's chances with 90 seconds left, as Denmark would have seen their gap cut to a single goal, but the co-hosts finally clinched a 26:24 win, to progress to the semi-finals.

Denmark have qualified between the top four teams at the IHF Women’s World Championship for the ninth time and for the second time in a row, after the Scandinavian side has finished third and clinched the bronze medal at the previous edition of the competition, Spain 2021.

Now, Jesper Jensen’s side will face Norway in the semi-finals, in a battle between two giants, with a spot in the final on the line, while Montenegro are heading to the Placement Matches 5/8, where they face Netherlands on Friday in their bid to finish on a higher place in the standings at Denmark/Norway/Sweden 2023.

hummel Player of the Match: Sandra Toft (Denmark)