The great favourite had to struggle 70 minutes to reach the quarter-finals of the World Championship: Denmark was the lucky winner of the highest tensioned match of the whole tournament in Brazil. The Europeans needed a penalty goal after the final whistle to reach the extra time against Japan – and after 70 minutes they took a one-goal margin, as the Asians were absolutely down. Denmark will face Angola in the quarter-finals.     

 

Denmark – Japan 23:22 (19:19, 9:11) after extra time

Japan was close to their best World Championship result since 1965, when they finished seventh. Since 1975 they had not been among the top 10 – and in 2011 they were closer than ever to reach this goal. But exactly one goal was missing in the end to make their dream come true. On the other hand the Danes were a really lucky winner of this dramatic and thrilling eight-final.

 

The first half was a big surprise – and a negative one for the favoured Danish team and their coach Jan Pytlick. The Europeans had enormous problems with the fast and movable Japanese defence. The Danes did not find the ways to get through or failed against the Japanese goalkeeper and on the other hand their defence was surprised, too. Expecting only strong wing players, the much taller European players could not cope with the Japanese back-court line. After the 6:6 Japan took control, led for the first time at 8:7 and increased the margin to two goals at the break.

 

Those who thought that the Asians would lack power in the second half or that Denmark would restart their engines, was completely wrong. The Europeans took the lead at 13:12, but then conceded three straight goals. And Japan stood strong dictating the match to the Danes, who still had no measures to stop the Asians. Nine minute before the end with Japan still leading 16:15, coach Pytlick took his time-out. But in contrast to his aims, Japan scored twice to 18:15 and only six minutes to go – another Danish time-out. But Pytlick’s team still did not find their usual rhythm. As the defence stood quite well, the attack was by far weaker than in the Preliminary Round.

 

But in crunch time, Japan became nervous and was too hectic in attack. Missing four shots after the 19:16 they missed the decision and Denmark was close to one goal again two minutes before the end. The final minute, the score 19:18: Japan missed their shot, Denmark with the last attack, foul – penalty shot after the final buzzer. Trine Troelsen keeps calm and hits the net – 19:19 – extra time – Denmark saved their neck for the first time.

 

And Troelsen marked the overtime again, scoring three of the four Danish goals – including the decisive last one. Japan was never in the lead in extra time, but equalized twice, before Troelsen made the three-time Olympic winner jump and dance. Aside top scorer Troelsen (six goals), goalkeeper Christina Pedersen was the Danish match winner with 16 saved shots. As usual, Shio Fujii was best shooter for the Nippon team with eight goals.

Statements of the match:

Kyungyoung Hwang, Japan's coach: "My players did a fantastic game. It's important for the future, to the Olympic Games".

Christina Pedersen, Denmark's goalkeeper (#16): "It was very exciting. In this match, each goal counts, each mistake counts... I'm very happy with my saves today. Angola will be a harder opponent too. We have to be prepared, because it's another team with another defense style. "

Trine Troelsen, Denmark's backcourt (#22): "We were nervous in this match, but we adapted us through the game. It was a very difficult match because it's a very different handball style. Against Angola will be a harder match too".

Jan Pytlick, Denmark's coach: "Japan plays very well, they made a lot of pressure on our defense. We had some problems on attack. The girls became nervous because the winner of the game will be on Qualifying for Olympic Games. It's a young team, without eight important players (seven injuried, one quits the carreer). In the quarter finals, against Angola, we have to play better than today".