WC gold after final victory against Norway in 2019 and another championship triumph two years later with the victory against Sweden.
Denmark enters the WC tournament in Sweden and Poland with great favourites.
In the opener against Belgium, the expectations did not seem too heavy.
Denmark impressed
The Belgians did indeed score the first goal, but it was Denmark who took hold of the baton in a red and white Malmö arena, controlled and set and led by as much as 22-15 at the break.
In the end, it was 43-28 in the premiere – and a good start to the hunt for further WC successes.
Norway, which was in the final in 2019 and 2017, got a good start to the championship just like Denmark.
The premiere against North Macedonia in Krakow gave a lead of seven balls at halftime and finally a comfortable 39–27.
Historic victory for the USA
The USA played its first World Cup match in the country’s handball history – and won against Morocco, 28-27.
A historic victory that came after a swinging, raucous match in Jönköping and Aboubakar Fofana’s decisive goal with 43 seconds left.
The USA, whose squad consists of 12 different nationalities, had its Swedish national team captain Robert Hedin sent off at the end after taking an illegal timeout.
Compatriot Staffan Olsson also got off to a good WC start. The handball icon’s Netherlands defeated Argentina by a whopping 29–19.
“I was quite nervous before the match and it was because of the respect I have for Argentina. They play so fast. Now I’m satisfied, above all the defense and goalkeeping were good,” Olsson told the organizer’s website.
“I’m happy now but we have to keep our feet on the ground, it’s still only the first game in the World Cup.”