Pytlick’s early nomination leaves only one spot vacant

As the first among the 16 head coaches at the Women's EHF EURO 2014, Danish coach Jan Pytlick has nominated 15 out of the 16 players for his squad for the final tournament in Hungary and Croatia in December.

"I think we have a very good picture of the squad after the Golden League on home court at the beginning of this month, and therefore have we chosen to nominate the squad already at this stage," Jan Pytlick explained this unusually early nomination.

15 out of the 16 names in the final squad were announced at a press conference on Monday.

The 16th player, likely to be a back court player according to Pytlick, will be announced within a week or two.

There have been doubts about right back Line Jörgensen, who underwent a knee surgery earlier this autumn, but the national coach has so much confidence in the 24-year-old FC Midtjylland player getting fit in time that he has included her in the squad already.

Experience and strength

"I would characterise this squad as very, very strong with a lot of experience and as a squad who has been standing together at many championships already.

"Of course some of the players have not been part of all that much yet, but in general, these players have played at many championships already, and that continuity means a lot," said Jan Pytlick.

The Danish team is going to play one further test ahead of the EHF EURO, as Denmark are taking part in the Golden League in Norway from 27 to 30 November, where their opponents will be the three EHF EURO participants Norway, France and Serbia.

At the EHF EURO 2014 Denmark play in Group B in Debrecen where their opponents will be Norway, Romania and Ukraine.

If Denmark qualify for the main round, the team can stay in Debrecen for those matches, before they may move to Budapest for the final matches.

The 15 nominated players are the following:

Goalkeepers: Sandra Toft (Larvik), Rikke Poulsen (Viborg HK)

Left wing: Ann Grete Norgaard (Team Tvis Holstebro), (Maria Fisker (Viborg HK)

Right wing: Trine Östergaard (FC Midtjylland), Maibritt Kviesgaard (Team Esbjerg)

Back court players: Line Jörgensen (FC Midtjylland), Louise Burgaard (Viborg HK), Pernille Holmsgaard (Kobenhavn Handbold), Kristina Kristiansen (Team Tvis Holstebro), Lotte Grigel (Team Esbjerg), Stine Jörgensen (FC Midtjylland)

Line players: Susan Thorsgaard (FC Midtjylland), Mette Gravholt (Viborg HK), Marianne Bonde Pedersen (Kobenhavn Handbol)