Mikkel Hansen: 'Twice in a row, it's impressive'

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Named tournament MVP while winning a second successive World Championship, Mikkel Hansen sat down with us to talk about Denmark's latest world title as well as his personal situation.

Psg.fr : How do you feel after your second consecutive World Championship title?
Mikkel Hansen: The whole team is very proud! To be World Champions twice in a row is impressive. Few countries have done it... We played well against very good teams. The level was very high! Many could have won the title. Nobody came to Egypt to lose.

Were the conditions of this World Championship distracting?
It was very different... Everybody tried to do their best to ensure safety. Mentally, it was hard to play without an audience. We're missing 5 to 10% without it. We all hope they can come back soon, because sport without supporters is really weird.

You were given a great welcome when you returned to Denmark, being escorted by military planes. Had you ever experienced this before?
Once, when we won Euro 2012 in Serbia. It's really extraordinary! To have a jet so close to us, it's not every day that you can see that.

You played on Saturday in Szeged (29-32). The recovery wasn't too difficult?
Some of the lads played two days after the final! We'll have to talk to each other, because this rhythm is not normal. We were supposed to go to Szeged on Thursday, and that would have been impossible! We had seven internationals who made it to the end of the World Cup. We didn't have time to prepare for the match or rest.

Was the fatigue more physical or psychological?
Both! I hope we can continue to be in good shape. There is a difference between being free for a month and a half or playing all the time. It's going to show... We have to turn in some good performances and then maybe we'll have some free time.

You are soon expecting another happy event...

Yes, I am expecting a second son. It's going to be incredible. I was also told that that will be hard too [laughs].

 

Watch the first part of our interview with Mikkel Hansen on video:

(Credits: IHF)