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The Danish coach, who has been in charge of the four-time world champions since 2017, previewed the decisive Group B clash in the preliminary round against Portugal, who have yet to secure a spot in the main round, unlike Denmark.
“I hope Portugal advances to the main round with us. In my opinion, they’re one of the best teams in the world and play fantastic handball,” Jacobsen said when asked by Portuguese journalists.
On Tuesday, hosts Denmark and Portugal face off at 19:30 at Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning, Denmark, where the coach expects a showdown between two of the world’s best teams “playing fast-paced handball.”
“I think it’s going to be a fast game. Portugal plays quick handball, and we also want to play at speed, and maybe these are the two best teams in the world when it comes to fast handball. I expect a lot of pace tomorrow (Tuesday),” he predicted.
Jacobsen also touched upon the surprising draw for Portugal against North Macedonia (29-29) on Sunday, who warned about the quality of teams in the final stages of the European Championship, which Denmark has won twice, most recently in 2012.
Portugal showed great handball at the last tournament (2025 World Championship), finishing fourth. Of course, I expected them to win against North Macedonia, but that’s handball; there are many strong teams in Europe. If you don’t play your best, you drop a point,” he said.
Already qualified, Denmark leads Group B with four points, followed by Portugal with three, North Macedonia in third with one, and Romania in last place, without points and already out of contention for the main round.
The final stage of the 17th European Handball Championship is being held in Denmark (Herning), Norway (Oslo), and Sweden (Kristianstad and Malmö) until February 1.