Handball finals and Herning have for many years been as synonymous as resin and palms on the half-court floor of Jyske Bank Boxen. But this summer, a new player entered the scene.
The City of Copenhagen has dreams of hosting the Men's World Championship in 2031 and the Women's European Championship in 2032. And this evening, the board of the Danish Handball Federation is meeting to discuss whether Copenhagen should be awarded the hosting rights instead of Herning, which has otherwise been synonymous with handball finals for many years.
A question that DR handball expert Lars Krogh Jeppsen believes could very well end with Herning having to make way for Copenhagen to some extent.
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Great significance for the city
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Because, particularly from a commercial perspective, there can be advantages to moving the finals to the capital.
"There are also some companies and sponsors who might think it would be interesting, with the intention of getting into the handball sport," says Lars Krogh Jeppsen.
>
> It would be absolutely fantastic for Copenhagen to host the Women's European Championship and
> the Men's World Championship in the city. I am quite sure that the people of Copenhagen
> would also greatly enjoy that.
>
For Mariann Vinding Kristensen, who is the city manager in Herning, it is far from the dream, however. Because the finals bring thousands of guests. And the whole city benefits.
Handball player Mathias Gidsel, who is himself from Skjern, does not have a preferred city to play finals in. "For me, it's not so much about geography. But about us continuing to be accessible to everyone, and not just one part of the country," he says. (Photo: © Liselotte Sabroe, Ritzau Scanpix)
"It naturally means a great deal to Herning and naturally also a great deal to Herning City," says Mariann Vinding Kristensen and adds:
"Because the party doesn't just take place in the Boxen. So it would be a real shame if it disappeared," she says.
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A natural choice
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One of those who, on the other hand, hopes that this evening's meeting will turn out in Copenhagen's favor is the Mayor of Culture, Leisure, and Citizen Services in Copenhagen, Christopher Røhl (RV).
"It would be absolutely fantastic for Copenhagen to host the Women's European Championship and the Men's World Championship in the city. I am quite sure that the people of Copenhagen would also greatly enjoy that," says Christopher Røhl.
The City of Copenhagen has already reserved 26 million kroner to be able to host the finals from the municipality's Mega Event Pool. And in Christopher Røhl's view, it is completely natural to move the handball finals to the capital.
"We have some of the country's largest handball clubs in Copenhagen measured by the number of members. And I believe that both for them and for all of us who are not necessarily members of the clubs, but are happy viewers of the sport, we would really look forward to having it in Copenhagen," says Christopher Røhl.
He does not see any problem in challenging Herning's home field advantage.
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Not alone in hosting the finals
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Denmark is not alone in hosting the finals at the European and World Championships.
The Men's World Championship in 2031 is a joint project for Denmark, Norway, and Iceland.
The Women's European Championship in 2032 will be organized together with Poland and Germany.
"Just as competition on the court is healthy, I also think the battle for the court itself is worth having some competition over."
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Room for several cities
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Two of the world's biggest international handball stars, however, will not choose between east and west.
"I have actually always had the opinion that handball is for all of Denmark. So I think it is wrong to limit handball to one place. We have built something completely unique and magical in the Boxen. But I think it is wrong to say that handball is reserved for Jutland and Herning. And I also think it is wrong to say that it is reserved for Copenhagen," says handball star Mathias Gidsel.
"I think Royal Arena is insanely cool to play in. And I think the Boxen is insanely cool to play in. So I think I'll let others decide. That's not my field. My field is saving balls and helping us to victory in various matches," says goalkeeper Emil Nielsen.
It is not certain that a decision will be made this evening. But if it is, Dansk HÃ¥ndbold is expected to announce the decision on Tuesday or Wednesday.
Neither Dansk HÃ¥ndbold, Herning Municipality, nor the City of Copenhagen have wished to give an interview before this evening's meeting.
Dansk HÃ¥ndbold has, however, previously stated that Copenhagen is the federation's first priority when it comes to choosing a host city. Herning is number two.
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