The second day of the EHF EURO 2026 was also successful from SG Flensburg-Handewitt's point of view. Denmark won their opening match 36:24 against North Macedonia. Slovenia narrowly held their own against Montenegro.
The upper tier was open for the first time in Herning. Three SG players were in the starting line-up in front of 15,000 spectators. Niclas Kirkeløkke covered at half-back and then switched to the wing. Emil Jakobsen scored Denmark's first goal of the tournament from the seven-meter line. Simon Pytlick increased the lead to 7:3. The backcourt ace was very dynamic and scored nine goals on eleven attempts. The fans voted him "Player of the Day". He and his Danes raced away to 11:5 before they began to make more mistakes. Lukas Jørgensen appeared on the pitch for the first time shortly before the break, covered in the middle block together with future SG circle player Emil Bergholt and was delighted to score three unblemished goals. The score was 17:12 after 30 minutes and the Danebrog team steadily pulled away after the break. Kevin Møller came on for a seven-meter penalty and the last eleven minutes. "The tournament has started, and it started well for us," said the keeper. "We were even able to try something out." Lasse Møller will have to wait for his European Championship debut. He was one of the three players who did not make the matchday squad.
Slovenian victory in Oslo
In Oslo, Domen Novak started early in the evening. "We're ready, but it will be a close game," said the Slovenian right wing of the SG before the match. He was proved right. In a festival of goals, the Slovenians came out on top against Montenegro by 41:40. Domen Novak made a perfect debut: nine goals on nine attempts.
What's next
The German team will play their second game in the group tomorrow, Saturday. At 8.30 pm they will face Serbia. ARD will be broadcasting live. With a win, the DHB team could already secure a ticket to the main round. On Sunday, it's Group B's turn. The Danes will then play Romania at 8.30 pm. At the same time, Slovenia will play Switzerland in Group D in Oslo.