Mathias Gidsel er løbet med Mários hjerte

Her på Hbold.dk og europamester.dk synes vi det kunne være spændende med et internationalt perspektiv på det danske landshold, så derfor har vi udvidet vores ekspert team til den kommende EM slutrunde med den portugisiske håndboldtræner Mário César Navarro, der har over 15 års erfaring som toptræner og er EHF master coach.

Denmark started their Main Round participation yesterday with a 28:24 victory over Iceland in an excellent handball game. After a highly eventful 24 hours for the Icelandic team, several key players tested positive for covid.

Iceland was without Aron Palmarsson, Björgvin Páll Gústavsson, Elvar Örn Jónsson, and Ólafur Andrés Guðmundsson, but with a lot of commitment and attitude to get two essential points to fight for a place in the semi-finals of the EHF EURO 2022.

Iceland started the game with their usual aggressive 6:0 system without much space for Danish long shots. However, it was soon apparent that the absence of Aron Palmarsson and Gústavsson would be evident in Iceland’s defensive processes. In the attacking process, Iceland was causing Denmark many problems until the 24th minute of the first half, when Omar Magnusson began to stand out.

At the other end, Denmark showed their usual extremely aggressive 6:0 system. Still, Iceland exploited the situations they created at 6 meters while Niklas Landin was not having a good day. Denmark decided to adapt their defensive strategy to 5:1 with Magnus Landin in advanced defensive duties. Still, he would end up being ruled out in the very first situation, and the Danish defense could not overcome the Icelandic offensive. In the offensive process, Mathias Gidsel started to stand out in another fantastic performance, making the difference in the first half with seven goals, three assists, and four 7 meters gained. With 8 minutes to halftime, Kevin Møller replaced Niklas Landin in the Danish goal, making five saves by the first half.

Denmark was leading by four goals at half-time, with Mathias Gidsel and Kevin Møller proving essential to the Danish game.

However, the break confirmed Islandia’s physical breakdown from the 40th minute onwards, where three exclusions in the space of 5 minutes jeopardized Islandia’s recovery. However, Iceland did not give up the game despite finding Kevin Møller phenomenal in the Danish goal.

However, Mathias Gidsel continued his handball recital in the Danish attack. At the same time, Omar Magnusson did not give up carrying Iceland on his back in creating and scoring chances in the Icelandic attack.

In terms of statistical comparison, it should be noted that Denmark was above the Icelandic average in terms of goals scored, shots missed, and 7 meters gained. However, they were below Iceland’s average number of shots the goalkeeper saved, fouls conceded, and shots blocked.

It is also important to highlight that both teams failed to exploit their offensive transitions, where defenses outweighed attacks. In statistical terms, it is relevant to mention that Iceland failed many shots on the match, much to the fault of Kevin Møller. He ended the game with an efficiency of 52%, having made fourteen saves in twenty-seven shots. Mathias Gidsel, on the other hand, had a masterly match with nine goals from ten attempts, ten assists, and six 7 meters gained.

At the end of a great handball match, which only suffered from the forced absences due to the positive tests in the Icelandic team, Denmark won by four goals difference, giving an essential step towards the semi-finals of the EHF EURO 2022.

MVP: Mathias Gidsel

Kevin Møller – ♥♥♥♥♥

What a great game from Møller! The driving force behind the Danish victory with seventeen saves in 38 minutes.

Mathias Gidsel –  ♥♥♥♥♥

There are no words to describe the best right-back of the moment who had another fantastic game with nine goals and ten assists.

Lasse Svan –  ♥♥♥♥

A near-perfect display that is marred by the 7 meters committed.

Magnus Saugstrup –  ♥♥♥♥

A complete display with three goals, three 7 meters gained and defensively very assertive, careless only in the one throw where he was ruled out.

Emil Jakobsen –  ♥♥♥♥

Another good game from Emil with 100 % effectiveness.

Mikkel Hansen – ♥♥♥♥

It wasn’t on his day but was enough to unbalance and create space for his teammates.