The Danish women’s handball team qualified for the semi-finals of the European Championships thanks to a 21-17 win against Romania in Helsingborg last night.
In a game Denmark had to win to reach the final four, the Danes came out swinging and led 12-10 at half-time thanks to some aggressive defence that kept Romanian star Cristina Neagu at bay.
In the second half the Danes took off and led by as many as seven (20-13) on the back of sterling keeping by Sandra Toft, before Neagu and the Romanians woke up and tacked a few on at the end.
It was an emotional last two minutes for the Danish keeper. “I couldn’t concentrate during the final two minutes; the tears ran down my cheeks,” Toft told DR Nyheder.
“This ranks very, very high in my career. I think it’s the biggest with the national team. A semi at the European Championships is fantastic, and the way we did it was insane.”
READ MORE: Handball ladies off to winning start at Euro 2016
Dutch challenge
The victory was sweet revenge for Denmark, who had lost to Romania in their failed Olympic Games qualification earlier this year, as well as in the quarter-finals at the World Championship in 2015.
Up next for the Danes are the in-form Dutch side, who beat Spain last night to top the other group ahead of France.
In the other semi-final, France face Norway. Both games take place tomorrow.
