As Nikolaj Jacobsen was offered the job as national coach, it meant a lot to him, that he knew that Denmark would be the host for the WORLD cup this year.
– There had not be any finals in Denmark in my own time as an active. Partly because our results were not so good, partly because we did not at that time had the large halls, he says.
And so I can remember EM on home in 2014, where I commented for TV2. There I stood and irked me that I had not been allowed to experience it.
– Now it is done as a coach, and I am me extremely much to, say, Nikolaj Jacobsen, who in recent days has been honed the form of his players.
– We can’t get more ready than we are now. We are good, and then we shall see if I feel the same way, when we have played four-five games.
Nikolaj Jacobsen is just the second national coach, who is in charge of the national team at a WORLD cup on home soil. And although it is 41 years ago, to the then just a 29-year-old Leif Mikkelsen had a role, is it not the case that the two do not know each other.
It makes in the degree, and they have great respect for each other. Back in 2000, Leif Mikkelsen in a period of time the national team again, and is then called the left wing Nikolaj Jacobsen.
– What about now Nikolaj Jacobsen’s national team on home soil?
– First of all, a great experience. Denmark Nikolaj Jacobsen a great skilled trainer with a big international experience, both as a player and coach. Among other things, that is why the national team very strong, says Leif Mikkelsen.
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Leif Mikkelsen was national coach for the Danish herrelandshold in handball in the period 1977-1987. He led the team to a fourth place at the WORLD cup in 1978, 1982 and at the OLYMPICS in 1984. Also had the team at the european championships in 2000. Photo: Morten Langkilde
– Players will find that you get an extra shot of adrenaline, you have to have in the body with so many spectators behind him, he continues.
In critical situations, where there is still voltage, you confirmed that you still have a chance. And the arenas they play in now, is somewhat larger, than when we played. It provides extra support and extra strength, says Leif Mikkelsen.
Nikolaj Jacobsen has only words of praise to say about his former coach.
– I was so lucky to have Leif Mikkelsen as the national coach for a single year. He is a great human being. Incredibly intelligent, he states.
– In many areas it was exciting to have a trainer who had a different approach to things than I even have. I can safely say, he had a somewhat more academic approach to handball.
