Spain Stuns Denmark: Shocks and Upsets Galore on Day 1 of Olympic Handball

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Wed, 11 Jun 2025

The Olympic handball tournament got off to a thrilling start on Monday, with Spain pulling off a stunning upset over Denmark in a nail-biting match that will be remembered for years to come. The tournament, which features the world’s top 12 national teams, is already showing signs of being one of the most competitive and unpredictable in recent memory.

The match between Spain and Denmark was touted as one of the favorites to win the tournament, with Denmark being one of the top-ranked teams in the world. However, Spain had other plans. Despite being the underdogs, they played with a sense of freedom and confidence, which ultimately paid off as they emerged victorious 27-26 in a thrilling match that went down to the wire.

Spain’s victory was not the only surprise of the day, as other top-ranked teams also struggled to find their rhythm. Germany, who are ranked third in the world, were held to a 25-25 draw by a determined South Korea, while Norway, who are ranked fifth, were defeated 26-24 by a gritty Japan.

The shocks and upsets continued throughout the day, with a host of other teams causing major surprises. Croatia, who are ranked eighth in the world, defeated a struggling Poland 28-23, while the United States, who are making their Olympic debut, held off a determined Brazil 24-22.

The tournament’s top scorer, Norwegian forward Sander Sagosen, who is known for his clinical finishing, was held to just three goals in Norway’s loss to Japan. Similarly, Denmark’s star player, Mikkel Hansen, who is a three-time ehf Champions League winner, could only manage two goals in their shock loss to Spain.

The day’s results have thrown the tournament wide open, with every team still in with a chance of making the semifinals. The competition is now set to be even more intense and unpredictable, with every match taking on a crucial significance.

In the evening session, defending champions France will look to get their campaign back on track against a struggling Hungary, while Denmark will aim to bounce back from their shock loss against a determined Sweden.

The tournament is set to be a thrilling ride, with every match capable of producing a shock result. As the teams take to the court for their second matches, one thing is certain – only the strongest will emerge victorious, and the rest will be left to ponder what could have been.

Stay tuned for more updates from the Olympic handball tournament, as the competition continues to unfold with plenty of surprises still in store.