08.10.2012, 10:28
Success for Danish talents at Golden League

National women's team beats France, Russia and even Olympic champions Norway

Success for Denmark at Golden League

The first edition of the Golden League became a huge success for the young team which Denmark's national coach Jan Pytlick had nominated for last weekend's (5 to 7 October) tournament in Aarhus.

The internationally inexperienced Danish team won the tournament after winning all their three matches against France, Norway and Russia.

The tournament was characterised by the fact that all four national coaches involved made several experiments and gave the chance to young talents - that applied in particular to Denmark's Jan Pytlick and Norway's Thorir Hergeirsson.

As it turned out, Pytlick's experiments proved to be the most successful. After Norway and Russia had opened the tournament with a 25:25 draw, the Danes managed to defeat France 32:27. Danish debutant goalkeeper Cecilie Greve showed a particular fine performance in this match.

Denmark then proved on Saturday that Friday's win was not a single lucky punch. After Russia defeated France 26:24, it was Denmark's and Norway's turn to take to the court the court in Aarhus' NRGI Arena.

First win in five years

And once again the young and unimpressed Danish women stunned the crowd. They led 17:12 at half-time, and even though Norway scored eight unanswered goals in the second half to gain an 21:19 lead, the hosts fough back and won 26:24 in the end.

Norway's Linn Kristin Riegelhuth Koren (pictured) scored her 800th goal for her country, but more remarkable was the fact that it was Denmark's first win against Norway in five years.

"I realise that Norway were without some of their usual players, but so were we, and after all, a win is a win,” said Denmark's coach Jan Pytlick after the match.

Things did not turn out any better for Norwey on the last day of the tournament, as they lost 27-22 to France in the first game on Sunday.

This meant that Denmark and Russia were going to decide the first rank between them in the last match – and the Danes never left much doubt about the outcome.

After an 18:14 lead at half-time, they increased the gap to eight goals during the second half, before finally cruising to a 35:29 victory.

“I think t was well deserved that we won the tournament. We played well and had the courage to challenge those three strong opponents,” analysed Pytlick at the end of tournament.

“Actually, the girls surprised me in a positive way, and I was particularly happy with our defence, where our offensive backs worked especially well.”

Russia took second place, with France in third and Norway in fourth.

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TEXT: Peter Bruun / ts