Sport Round-Up: Allocation of World Cup games bad news for the many who don’t subscribe to TV2

Elsewhere, Magnussen was back in the F1 points, the Superliga title race opens up and Danish handball talent dies suddenly

Christian Wenande

Apr 25, 2022

Football fans pining to watch the 2022 World Cup matches later this year now have the opportunity to concoct a viewing plan.

Of course, much will depend on whether they have access to the pay TV channel TV2, which enjoys privileges normally only granted to free-to-air platforms: one of them being heavily discounted WC rights, as it is in the interest of FIFA’s partners for the games to have the largest possible viewership.

However, increasing numbers of people stream all their television, so they can only access free channels, such as DR.

Internationals, in particular, tend to shun TV2 because most of its content is Danish-centric. This might explain why the TV2 group remains the country’s most popular broadcaster with a 40.3 percent market share.

TV2 to get opening game
For the umpteenth time in a row, DR and TV2 are sharing the broadcasting rights for the tournament and will be showing an equal number of games. The price is undisclosed, but it is thought to be heavily discounted.

The opening game in Qatar (the Netherlands vs Senegal) will be broadcast by TV2, while DR will show Denmark’s first game (against Tunisia) on November 22 at 14:00.

Similar for women’s Euros
TV2 has the rights for Denmark’s next fixture (France) on November 25 at 17:00, before DR takes over for the third game on November 30 at 16:00 versus either Peru, Australia or the UAE.

Should Denmark make it out of the group, the two broadcasters will alternate each round with TV2 starting with the last-16 fixture.

Check out the entire 2022 World Cup broadcast plan here

Meanwhile, the two broadcasters have fashioned a similar split for the women’s 2022 Euros this summer.

See the entire 2022 Euros broadcast plan here

Pirates crowned champions
Aalborg Pirates have been crowned Danish men’s ice hockey champions following a 5-1 victory over holders Rungsted Seier Capital in the fifth game of the finals to triumph 4-1 – the club’s fourth Danish title in history and third since 2018. Herning Blue Fox remain the most successful team in Denmark with 16 titles, though none since 2012. In fact, since 2018 the Pirates and Seier Capital have alternated as champions.

Handball talent dead
Danish handball is in shock and mourning following the news of the sudden passing of 19-year-old talent Matthias Birkkjær Pedersen. The Bjerringbro-Silkeborg under-19 player had made four appearances for the first team at Bjerringbro-Silkeborg and been called up to several Danish youth teams in the past. He was due to transfer to Lemvig-Thyborøn next season.

Superliga going down to wire
The Danish Superliga is braced for an exciting finish in the coming weeks after FC Copenhagen slumped to a surprise defeat to Randers at home on Sunday. With a game in hand, FC Midtjylland are six points back and face FCK at home in the next round, so could potentially make up all lost ground with a win there. FC Copenhagen have a significantly better goal difference though, so FCM will need to hope the Lions drop further points in the few games that remain.

Ehlers commits to Worlds
When Denmark embarks on its IIHF World Championship campaign in May, they can count on one of their best players lacing up in Finland. Winnipeg Jets winger Nikolaj Ehlers has confirmed he will take part in the tournament for the first time in years – his Jets have missed out on the NHL playoffs for the first time since 2017. An additional Ehlers link for Denmark is coach Heinz Ehlers, who is the father of the 26-year-old speedster.

Magz in the points again
Danish driver Kevin Magnussen has continued his successful return to F1 by once again getting among the points – this time at the Emilia Romagna GP in Italy. Magnussen finished the race in ninth position, securing two points for his team Haas. The 29-year-old now sits 10th overall in the F1 standings with 15 points. Max Verstappen of Red Bull Racing won the race ahead of teammate Sergio Perez.

Living up to his Billing
Danish international Philip Billing has been named in the English Championship Team of the Season following a solid campaign for AFC Bournemouth. Up until now, the 25-year-old has amassed eight goals and seven assists in 36 games. The former Huddersfield man has two caps for Denmark. Bournemouth currently sit second in the Championship and are on course to win promotion to the Premier League for next season.

Rune cracks top 70
Denmark’s top men’s tennis player Holger Rune is now ranked 70th in the ATP Rankings – the highest position of his blossoming career so far. Rune improved in the rankings after beating Chilean world #30 Cristian Garin on his way to reaching the last-16 of the Serbia Open. The Dane, who turns 19 on April 29, also recently lost a close match to world #7 Casper Ruud in the last 32 of the ATP Masters in Monte Carlo.

Mahfoud retains title
Following a pandemic-related hiatus of over two years, Sarah Mahfoud finally made her return to the boxing ring by retaining her IBF World Title. Mahfoud won a unanimous decision against German fighter Nina Meinke 97-93, 97-93 and 96-94 according to the judges’ cards. Mahfoud remains undefeated in 11 bouts as a professional.