Men's EHF EURO 2026 post-match flash quotes: 1 February
HERNING — Comments from players and coaches after the final and bronze-medal match at the Men's EHF EURO 2026 on Sunday.
FINAL
Denmark vs Germany 34:27 (18:16)
Nikolaj Jacobsen (DEN) —head coach
On now being Olympic, European and world title holders:
“Tonight’s was a tough one. If winning all these titles does not make you feel great, you don’t deserve to be here. It was a tough tournament for us. There were a lot of expectations beforehand. It was difficult to meet these expectations in the beginning. We lost some line players along the way. We had to find new solutions.
"Today was a really tough match. We had a chance after 15 minutes to increase the advantage, but Andreas Wolff was amazing in the goal. Thankfully, we managed to finally score some goals. I think the seven-goal difference at the end does not show this final was a really tough match — it was not until the four or five last minutes that it was decided.”
On Magnus Landin's importance for Denmark:
“Magnus plays a really big role. He has been part of the team since the beginning of my career as a national coach. He really has been along my side, like some other players — Mads Mensah for example. Magnus has a huge impact on the court. Magnus is very useful, because we can rest Simon Pytlick thanks to him. Simon is an important player for our offence, even though he is also a good defender. He is one of the players that do not get enough credit. I am really glad for him he got all these titles — he has won the six titles Denmark won in the past 10 years.”
On if Germany will be Denmark’s main rivals in the next few years:
“Germany has had a lot of amazing achievements lately. They are now part of the favourites for every tournament. Last year, they lost in the [World Championship] quarter-finals, but they were already in the final at the Olympics and the last EURO we beat them in the semi-finals. Now, they just have to climb the last step for the title. But I am not going to tell them how to win finals. They will be playing the next competition at home, so they definitely will be among the favourites.”
Mathias Gidsel (DEN) — right back
On becoming EHF EURO champion for the first time:
“We are so happy. We had been under a huge pressure. Everybody always expects gold medals when we play. Now we have all three trophies. We played an incredible tournament. We coped with a lot of problems. Maybe we were a bit shaky compared to other events. But finally, we were on the podium. This is what counts. I am happy and proud of my team, of all the fans and all around the team. This was a true team success.
On his own performance at the EHF EURO:
“I could not score any goal without the help of the others. We are a team. But of course, I am happy that I could help my team. But still, we win together."
On becoming MVP and top scorer:
“The gold medal is what counts most. This is what we were fighting for — this trophy was missing. But of course, I am happy with all those individual awards. They prove that I helped my team on a high level. I think I need a new room for the trophies soon at my parents’ house.”
On his new goal record for most in a single EHF EURO:
“I did not know that, but this is also great. When I am old, I have to prove to my kids and grandchildren that I was a successful handball player — and a record like this and the medals are a good proof.”
Mads Mensah (DEN) – left back
On the match:
“Today, our defence was really strong. Mads Hoxer and Thomas Arnoldsen did a great job, though there are regularly not playing together. We could challenge Germy with a quite offensive defence, this fit quite well. Germany have developed in the past years, but today, it was more Wolff against Denmark, not Germany. The result is maybe a bit high, but in the second half, we really played well. It was quite obvious that we would win the match.”
On becoming European champions after a 14-years wait and to hold all three major trophies at the same time:
“To be honest, I don’t care about those numbers. It was only important to win this trophy, the rest is funny and nice, but not important.”
Alfred Gislason (ISL) - GER head coach
On Germany’s performance at this EHF EURO:
“Tonight, Denmark definitely deserved their victory and they deserve to be European champions. I am very happy with my team and how the guys played during the whole tournament, the team has been getting better and better with every game. We played very good during all games, there was only one bad game for us.
“Today, we wanted to give Germany a very good fight, and we did. I can say that we tried everything in this game. But Denmark are incredible, we had problems in defence, it was a handicap for us to lose Justus Fischer before the game. And then we lost Tom Kiesler very early, and he is a very important player for us.
“The boys still played very well during the whole game, they kept the score tight until the end. I think that the score is tough compared to the game. I am proud of team, proud of what they did throughout the month. I can also say we did everything to get the gold medal.”
On how the absences of Justus Fischer and Tom Kiesler impacted Germany:
“Justus Fischer’s injury forced us to find some other solutions. Then Tom Kiesler is ejected, and I won’t comment on that. But I guess it did not help us. The guys played very well, but sadly, sometimes you have to admit you did everything you could but that it was not enough. I don’t want everyone to judge this tournament only on its outcome. I hope that the team can keep moving on in the future, and we will get another chance to get a title next year at the world championship.”
Nils Lichtlein (GER) – centre back
On the colour of the medal:
“Right at this moment we lost gold, but I am sure that we can look back with a lot of pride on this silver medal in some days. We played a strong tournament, we made it to the final after facing extremely strong opponents before.”
On the crucial moments of the final:
“I don’t know really. They pulled ahead when we missed some chances. And they were clever when we were shorthanded, and scored easy goals. It was many little things.”
On having a party on Sunday night:
“I hope so.”
Lukas Zerbe (GER) – right wing
On the defeat:
“We were close until 10 minutes before the end. But it always looked like that when we had the chance to reduce the gap, there were things that destroyed our chances. I am proud of this team, how we played, how we coped with setbacks.”
On his own performance:
“Right now, it is the disappointment, but I am sure in some days I can look back with pride, also on my own performance. We wanted to win a different medal. Overall, we played outstanding as a team. We can beat every team, and today it was even possible to beat the Danes, although the final result does not prove this, as it was quite clear.”
On the future of his team:
“When we continue with this team in the next years like we played here, there is a lot at stake, hopefully some more finals. Next year, we play the World Championship in Germany, and I am sure there we can go really far, with the home advantage.”
BRONZE MEDAL MATCH
Iceland vs Croatia 33:34 (14:17)
Dagur Sigurdsson (ISL) — CRO head coach
On the match:
“Iceland played a great match and took a really good result in the tournament. We can discuss how many regular teams are not here for the final weekend. We were disappointed after the loss in the semi — we played a great game. Wt was really a good performance of many players. They sacrificed themselves for this medal. It was a strong team effort, especially when Iceland came back into the game. We are really happy, but we also have great respect for the fight of Iceland.”
Luka Cindrić (CRO) — centre back
On the match:
“It was a tough match, but we fought until the end. I am so proud on the team. For us, this bronze medal is like gold. We showed character in every game of this tournament. The last 10 minutes were chaotic. Both teams were nervous, and it was a really intense fight. We started really good and kept the lead for the whole match. We played really good.”
On winning the second medal within one year:
“Last year, it was easier for us, as we played at home. Now we showed that it doesn’t matter where we play. We always give our best against every team. This medal is a great success for our handball and our country.”
Marko Mamić (CRO) — left back
On the match:
“We deserved to win the match and the medal. From the start, we played with a really tough defence, were patient in attack and managed to go ahead with five goals. After that it was much easier for us to play and to control the game. In the end, we missed some 100 per cent chances, and as Iceland is a strong team, they came back.
"But we remained cool in our heads and won the medal. In the end, it was pure emotions: It was our ninth match, the fans were against us, we lost our power. But we knew that we are the better team and showed it on the court.”
On the second medal within one year:
“I am very proud. It was such hard work. We had some problems during this tournament. Therefore, it was really important to finish the tournament with a success.”
Snorri Steinn Guðjónsson (ISL) — head coach
On the match:
“It was a deserved win. We are disappointed, but we lost to a better team. We had a bad start and missed a lot of chances. Croatia is maybe one of the best teams in the world to control games. We tried hard, but could not turn the match around.”
Bjarki Már Elisson (ISL) — left wing
On his emotions:
“I am really disappointed. We wanted to win, but failed. We lacked power in the beginning. We did not start well enough. We missed chances and that cost us the victory today. The disappointment is as big as you can imagine. We had not been so close to a medal since years.”
Photo © kolektiff images
