Denmark head coach Nikolaj Jacobsen has named a 17-player squad for the upcoming EHF Euro Cup fixtures against Spain and Switzerland, assembling a strong lineup featuring several members of the European Championship-winning team.

The Danish men’s national handball team will gather on November 2 to prepare for the two matches, with the squad combining experienced international stars and a handful of players still looking to establish themselves at major tournaments.

Many of the selected players were part of Denmark’s European Championship triumph in January, highlighting their importance to Jacobsen’s plans for the upcoming World Championship.

“A great many players from the squad that won the European Championship are included, which naturally indicates who is currently closest to being part of the World Championship team. We haven’t been together for nearly half a year, so there are many things we need to revisit and continue working on,” Jacobsen said in a press release.

Denmark’s first challenge will come against Spain on November 4 at Jyske Bank Boxen. Jacobsen expects a demanding contest, praising the progress Spain have made following the introduction of several new players.

“Spain impressed me during the European Championship. They have undergone a generational shift and have already come a long way. They have many options in their squad and are capable of adapting during the course of a match,” he said.

Jacobsen also expressed his admiration for Spanish coach Jordi Ribera, predicting that Spain could emerge as serious contenders for the top positions at the World Championship.

“I have great respect for Jordi Ribera and the work he has done, and I believe Spain will be a team that contends for the top spots at the World Championship. They will be an exciting and challenging opponent,” the Danish coach added.

Four days after the Spain encounter, Denmark will travel to face Switzerland in their second Euro Cup fixture.

Although Jacobsen considers Switzerland a different level of opposition compared with Spain, he warned that the Swiss side could still pose significant problems.

“Switzerland is a solid team that, on their good days, can go toe-to-toe with many strong nations. They aren’t at the same level as Spain, but they can challenge us in different ways,” he explained.

The Danish coach also highlighted Switzerland’s tactical approach, particularly their frequent use of seven attackers against six defenders, as a valuable opportunity for his team to sharpen its defensive organisation.

“For instance, they frequently play with seven attackers against six defenders, which gives us a great opportunity to practice and prepare tactically for that scenario. That suits us really well,” Jacobsen concluded.