Handball: How the sport encapsulates Danish culture artwork
What The Denmark | Danish Culture for Expats, Internationals and Danes

Handball: How the sport encapsulates Danish culture

  • S1E9
  • 31:07
  • May 27th 2021

The sport of handball has a rich history in Denmark.

The country invented the modern form of the game (so the story goes) and the men's team are the two-time reigning world champions.

In this episode, Sam and Josefine speak with the head of the Danish Handball Federation, Morten Stig Christensen, about his view on the sport and what it means for the country.

Through the discussions, a number of questions are answered, such as:

  • The history of the sport
  • Which countries do and don't play (and why)
  • What it takes to succeed in the sport
  • How it factored in Cold War propaganda
  • How to get involved in the sport

and the big question for people living in Denmark: why is handball so popular in Jutland (rural Denmark).

We provide answers to all these, as well as a discussion of how Danish foreninger (associations) represent a core component of Danish culture.

Read more at: http://www.whatthedenmark.com/blog-post/handball

What The Denmark | Danish Culture for Expats, Internationals and Danes

Danish culture can be pretty confusing, especially if you are not from Denmark.

This podcast is on a mission to resolve cultural confusion in the country.

Co-hosts Sam Floy (British podcaster, "The Outsider") and Josefine Volqvartz (Danish TV journalist, "The Insider") speak to experts and members of the public to understand and explain why something so normal in Danish culture is confusing to outsiders.

Rather than simply point fun, or say something like "Danes have an ironic sense of humour" we go deep, by speaking to experts to explain why.

Importantly, this show is as much for Danes as it is non-Danes.

What The Denmark is an educational, entertaining and inclusive show where we take a curious look at things that seem normal in Denmark, and get to the bottom of why.

If you've ever felt that you want to understand more about Denmark and Danish culture, then this is the podcast for you!

Learn more at https://www.whatthedenmark.com/