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Gudmundsson after the meeting with his players: We want to win the two remaining games!

- We'll try and beat Denmark and later take spot 5, which would be like a medal for us - team captain Zorman said.

The draw with Argentina in the opening match cost Denmark a lot. Instead of finish as the top team in the group that would see them get a more favorable draw, Denmark met Spain as early as quarterfinals and one of the 'heavy-weights' was doomed to get knocked out. It was a really close match, just like expected, and details decided in the end. To be more precise, Joan Canellas' goal with two seconds on the clock is what settled the game.

- We should have stopped him and not allow him to take that shot - Gudmundsson said angrily. He was particularity upset about the fact Spain had very little time to organize the final attack and one foul would have probably be enough to stop them.

Interestingly, when asked whether he would be okay with one of his players committing a foul over Canellas resulting in a red card, Gudmundsson said:

- Yes, I would have accepted that.

After a very long time, Denmark will not be in the battle for medals. Just a remainder, Denmark and defending world and European champions, but there isn't much to regret about the Spain game for them. It was very clear that it will be a tough meeting, Gudmundsson said it will be a 50-50 chance and turned out to be right. Neither team has ever had the lead of more than two goals and the game was extremely close up until the end when everything was settled in the final moments.

- Losing to a world champion is such a close battle is tough. We beat many great teams, including Poland who made it into semifinals. It was a tough tournament, as expected, but we were getting better each next game - Gudmundsson said. 

This is a failure and a step back when compared to Denmark's previous results, which would make it very difficult to regain mental strength, especially after losing in such a manner. Gudmundsson was staring into the ground after the defeat, probably wondering whether he did something wrong...Two days have passed since that game and the Northern mentality will help Denmark a lot. They really want to finish in spot 5 to be able to play the Olympic Qualifying tournament home to increase their chance of secure a spot in Rio. 

- We've already had a meeting with the players and want to win the remaining two games. I believe they are completely focused and that they'll do their best - Gudmundsson said.

Denmark played Slovenia ahead of WC to beat them convincingly by 10 goals. It was 19-11 by half time then, with Slovenia not being able to count on Zorman and Denmark had excellent flow. Slovenia are the kind of a team that suits Denmark concept-wise since it allows them to play and is not as tough in defense as Spain. It is to be expected for Denmark to try and use the good flow to finish the attacks and good defense to create attempts easily. It should be the similar concept they had when faced with Iceland, whom then beat easily.

Slovenia played semifinals at the last WC and got knocked out in quarter finals here. The players talked about minor disappointment after the defeat to France and single out Omeyer as the key reason for it. Granted, the French goal keeper saved a lot of shots but that doesn't make him the main culprit. Slovenia would not be able to win that game not matter what the circumstances. Things were settled by half time, with France letting go for some 15 minutes in the second half to allow Slovenia to get a bit closer. As soon as France got focused again, they destroyed Denic's team that didn't stand a chance.

Slovenia have not been convincing throughout the tournament. They constantly use the speed but lack toughness, while their defense isn't capable of stopping the opponents.  

- It's still not over. We know we have two great teams to meet still. We didn't beat Denmark in a while and we know it will be tough - lineman Zvizej said.

- We'll try and beat Denmark and later take spot 5, which would be like a medal for us - Zorman said. 

They met Denmark only in friendly matches the last 4-5 years to mostly lose convincingly. But things are different now, with Denmark probably a bit disappointed since their expectation was running higher than this. But Denmark did much better the Slovenia in Qatar so far.

- Denmark were very close to reaching semifinals and their players suit us more than the French. It will be our eight game in Qatar, but we want to win - Denic said. He had to do without Spiler the last game and there's no information on his health ahead of this game.

Luka Zvizej did his part in the last game perfectly, finishing with 6 goals in 6 shots. Muka Zvizej failed (0/4), Natek too (1/4), while Cehte and Dolenec took 21 shot combined to score 8 goals.

Gudmundsson's debut as head coach at Denmark started with a slip in the group stage and finished with the 'stupid' goal conceded to Spain in the last second that saw his team end the race for the title. But, I don't think he will fail to see Denmark secure qualifying matches for the Olympics. Their first chance for it is today against the least-demanding of the four opponents fighting for spots 5 through 8. Denmark struggled greatly with tough and aggressive defenses that would keep their top players away from the goal. Argentina and Spain limited them to 24 goals and even though Germany is not as aggressive, they are definitely better than Slovenia. Slovenia proved they don't have the toughness necessary for this level and I don't see how they could stop Hansen and other Danes today. Danish defense is good enough to stop the fast Slovenians and limiting them to 9-meter shooting, which Slovenia doesn't have. The game these two teams played ahead of this WC was the excellent proof of everything I just said. Denmark took a huge lead by half time and ended 10 goals ahead (36-26) despite resting most of the top players in the second half. This game is taking place on neutral grounds but I don't think that can change things much, not even with Zorman. Denmark beat them 31-25 last April and 35-30 ahead of the WC in Spain. Denmark are a much better team, won all of their three games by 6 or more goals and I'm sure they won't let this meeting to go into another dramatic finish. All the options are good, half time handicap (-1.5) might be even better, but I believe Denmark to go over 30 goals easily. But, I'm going with the option that is most widely-available - handicap at game's end.