Denmark won the bronze medal with a dramatic victory at the 2025 IHF Men’s U19 World Championships.
The Danish men’s youth (U19) handball team beat Sweden 33-31 in the bronze medal match of the 11th World Men’s Youth Championship (U19) at Cairo Stadium in Egypt on the 17th (local time).
This marks Denmark’s seventh medal in this age group, winning four consecutive medals, following bronze medals in 2017 and 2019 and silver in 2023.
사진 확대 Photo by Denmark, who won the bronze medal at the 11th World Men’s Youth Championship (U19), provides photo = International Handball Federation
The bronze medal match drew keen attention as a match between Northern European rivals Denmark and Sweden. Since Sweden won last year’s U18 European Championship final after a close game leading to extra time, both teams were prepared for this game.
In the first half, both teams had a lot of mistakes, so the game was a bit confusing. Sweden went ahead 7–5, but Denmark came from behind 8–7 with a 3–0 scoring streak. Afterwards, Emil Darling Sorensen’s performance led to an 11-8 run, but Sweden chased again and finished the first half with a goal difference of 14–13.
In the second half, the attacks of both teams revived and the game was even fiercer. Sweden turned the game around with six goals in five minutes of the second half, and Nikola Roganovic, the 2024 M18 EHF European Championship MVP, took a 19-18 lead. After that, the game lasted until 27–27.
Sweden edged out 30-29 with six minutes to play, but the balance of the match quickly collapsed. Sweden was outnumbered by Arvid Andreasson, followed by Mans Fredriksson, who was sent off for two minutes.
Taking advantage of this, Denmark scored two goals to turn the tables and took a 32-31 lead with 21 seconds left. Denmark scored an extra point just before the end of the match to seal the victory 33-31.
Sweden, which recorded a disappointing loss, finished fourth in the tournament, and although it had the experience of winning the bronze medal match, it unfortunately missed the bronze medal. Meanwhile, Liam Hultberg of Sweden scored six goals and was named Player of the Match.
[Kim Yongpil, MK Sports Reporter]