Denmark remains the gold standard in world handball. It is the fourth World Cup title in series for the team around superstar and tournament MVP Mathias Gidsel. The Croatian record player Domagoj Duvnjak also loses his fifth grand finale through the 26:32 (12:16).
Fair and emotional images at the end: The captain of the THW Kiel was able to throw the goal to 26:32 without being able to throw the opponent without hitting his last international match for Croatia. “Düle” clapped Denmark’s goalkeeper Jannick Green before his teammates let the crying 36-year-old raise.
Both teams celebrated their medal, favorite Denmark jumped in the team circle and cheered as at the 2019 World Championships, 2021 and 2023. Four World Cup titles in series have never been in handball. The best scorer was again the sonspare player and “Most Valuable Player” of this tournament, Mathias Gidel met ten of his eleven attempts. The 25-year-old from the Füchsen Berlin ended the World Cup with a total of 74 goals and 45 templates.
Mamić-red game -decisive
The game was decisive for a red card in the 20th minute: Croatia’s defense chief Marko Mamić hit Rasmus Liege hard from behind on the neck and face and was consequently excluded from the game.
Until then, Croatia with his strong 5-1 defense with Mamić held the Danish world-class team at just eight goals in 20 minutes on the front. After the provision, it was eight goals in ten minutes before the Danes pulled away to 24:14 (41.) at the start of the second half with another 8: 2 run. Afterwards, the bravely fighting Croatians were still able to limit damage, they no longer became dangerous to the old and new title holder.
Emotional farewell to Duvnjak
Already during the anthem with a few tears at the Croatian captain Domagoj Duvnjak. The record national player celebrated his farewell from the national team in the World Cup final-in front of over 15,000 spectators. The defending champion scored the first goal in the World Cup final in Oslo in person from strong Simon Pytlick (1st). After a foul on the Flensburg back player, the Spanish referees then had to ensure calm for the first time-Mateo Maraš with the first two-minute penalty. It shouldn’t remain the only heated situation.
The Croats struggled extremely heavily at the beginning and did not score a goal for over five minutes, which was also the best goalkeeper of the tournament – Emil Nielsen (3: 1). The 27-year-old held four of the first five balls on his box and Emil Jakobsen in front with his second goal to 4: 1 (9th). The Croatians were still well served with the three-goal deficit, because the Danish outside were twice bad luck with latte and post.
Emil Nielsen gets going strongly
In the 14th minute, Dominik Kuzmanović was also able to distinguish himself for the first time. The Gummersbacher was previously clearly in the shade of the strong Nielsen on the other side. But even the Dane was powerless against Ivan Martinović’s litters. The Croatian back room right hit out of all locations and kept his team with three goals within reach (7: 8). Then Dagur Sigurðsson’s team weakened. Defense specialist Marko Mamić came too late against Rasmus Liege and earned the red card (20th).
Duvnjak luckless – Gidel shines
Then the world class of Mathias Gidsel flashed for the first time. The left-hander won his one-on-one duels in an inimitable manner and made three goals for the 12: 9 lead with three goals within two minutes (26th). However, Marin Šipić provided the next highlight: the circular runner scored 10:13 behind the back (27th). Overall, however, the Danes looked stronger and safer in the end – Gidsel scored with his fifth goal for the 16:12 half -time lead.
Immediately after the break, Kuzmanović fueled the Croatian World Cup hopes with the seven-meter parade against Jakobsen (31st). But then the most dangerous phase of the defending champion. An 8: 2 run at the beginning of the second half brought the first ten goal lead (24:14). Croatia was always unlucky with the aluminum or failed due to Nielsen, but almost everything went together at Denmark.
8: 2 run ensures after the break Preliminary decision
It is significant that Mathias Gidsel only made his first false throw in the 47th minute, and he had previously met nine times. Despite the high deficit, Croatia continued to do everything and always tried to find a solution to the strong Danish defense. Right -wing Mario Šoštarić (5 goals) was able to distinguish himself again and again and reduced to 23:28 in the 54th minute.
But Gidsel and Co. did not get the Croatians closer. In the last five minutes the frustration and Zvonimir SRNA had to go off the field prematurely after a double time penalty. Domagoj Duvnjak was able to set the final point with his first goal to 32:26 and thus say goodbye to the national team.