open the topic Danish League 2015-2016.
The 2015-2016 season looks promising as many clubs have operated a lot of movements in their squad.
Of course, I don't forget that many stars (Groot, Gulldén, Damnjanovic, Fisker, and Line Jørgensen)
decided to leave the Danish League.
Nevertheless, some Danish clubs registered the venue of Norwegian NT players (Veronica Kristiansen,
Camilla Herrem, Betina Riegelhuth, Maja Jakobsen).
On the another hand, many Swedish players are still very attracted to play in Denmark. For example,
Jenny Alm or Emelie Westberg responded favorably respectively to Team Esbjerg and NFH. Besides, I
don't think that the recent Helle Thomsen's dismissal from Sweden NT would change anything in their
decisions to join the Boxer Dameligaen. Even Brazilian star keeper Barbara Arenhart signed for NFH
surprisingly.
Which clubs would finish into the top 6 and then qualify for the playoffs ? Which clubs would be in
danger of relegation ?
After this short introduction, I'm gonna trying to answer to those 2 questions.
So here's my prediction for the coming regular season of the Danish League (from team ranked 1st to
12th position):
1st, Team Esbjerg only lost 1 important player (Johanna Ahlm). It will be a solid team with 2 good
keepers (Sando and Idéhn). The responsibility of the TE game will be on the shoulder of Lotte Grigel
with the help of Jenny Alm. Grigel can show again she's still a class playmaker after being in the
shadow of Ahlm. I'm impressed by the big potential in attack of this team. They have probably the best
back shooters (Alm, Polman, Riegelhuth, van der Heijden). Even Grigel can score a lot of goals in a
good day.
So Esbjerg has good chane to win again the regular season (because it will be difficult to qualify for the CL at Baia Mare). Spending less effort compared to FCM. Or I'm totally wrong and TE
will conquer their CL ticket in Romania.
2nd, FCM. I know losing Nycke Groot will be a big loss for the defending Champion. She was clearly the
best Danish League player and was decisive in both end of the courts for her former club. But FCM
replaced her by a good duo of playmakers: Johanna Ahlm and Veronica Kristiansen (who can also play as
left back). Moreover, Burgaard replacing Line Jørgensen is the best choice they could get. Maybe the
the new FCM will be slightly weaker in defense but they still have the best keeper Englert and a solid
defender Sabina Jacobsen who can play as RB in attack if needed. Unfortunately, the Champions League
will cost them a lot of energy (very difficult CL draw). Not counting that their many NT players will
have to play the WCh in december too.
3rd, TTH will have to do without their emblematic coach Agesen and players Mulle and AG Nørgaard.
The "new" coach Krautmayer is less charismatic but he knows the current squad well as Agesen's assistant
over those past years. Besides, Jette Hansen and Camilla Herrem are excellent reinforcements for Holstebro.
As always, there are many questions on the quality of their defense. On the another hand, their offensive
game is now on the shoulders of playmaker Lærke Møller. Let's go Lærke !
Behind those 3 clubs, the battle for the last 3 playoffs' spots will be close between 4 or even 5 clubs.
It's really hard to predict, my God !
4th, HC Odense has actually an interesting team: Masson, an amazing LBs duo Adler/Haugsted and Maja Jakobsen
should give a good surplus in attack as RB.
5th, Randers seems to have a good squad with Greve, Dalby, and Monti Danielsson as the main new players.
But their playmaker Schumacher must play well if they wants to be in the top 6. And I expect that Mie Højlund
would get more playing time compared to the last season.
6th, Viborg lost many stars but they made clever transfers. They will have a better bench compared to last
season for sure. All the positions are now covered. With perhaps the exception of the GK position (the young
keeper Signe Brun is the only substitute for Rikke Poulsen). Of course, Skov and AG will be the natural leaders
of this team.
7th, Copenhagen Handball is a good mix of experienced and young players. They needed a RB, they signed Anne Cecilie
De la Cour. Good signing ! They have actually a good squad. If their playmakers' duo Rej/Sjølund are in good form
throughout the season, CPH can even qualify for the playoffs. But it will be difficult that's why I only predict a
7th spot.
8th, SK Aarhus lost Palsdottir (pivot) and Uno (playmaker). Big lost for them but they will have a very interesting
RBs' duo to follow: Mette Tranborg and Lærke Christensen. In addition, Okkels, Ohlendorff and Hjort are also good
back players.
9th, NFH. On paper, they signed a top coach Agesen and 4 very good or good players (Arenhart, Mulle, Gravholt and
Emelie Westberg). But they don't have enough good defenders. Besides, they have a small bench. But it should be enough
to save their spot in the Danish League sportively this time. Without benefiting on the financial problems from another
clubs...
10th, Silkeborg-Voel lost their two best players and best scorers of the League last season (Jette Hansen and Anne Cecilie
De la Cour). I think they will have a difficult season even if they signed with Trine Troelsen, or Freja Cohrt. A relegation
game is expected...
11th, Ringkøbing lost two major players for them: Brogaard and Anastacio (although I'm not a great fan of this Brazilian
player). Playmaker Cecilie Mørch Hansen is back in DK from Norway. It should be a good signing. But as for Silkeborg,
a relegation game is expected too.
12th, SønderjyskE as the promoted team is always in danger of a direct relegation into the 1st Division. Unfortunately,
Camilla Nissen (their best player) decided to take a pause from handball. They signed some players like Baunsgaard or
Madsen (from Esbjerg) who didn't have much playing time. Is it enough to save a spot in the elite ? I expect a very
difficult season for this club.
In conclusion, the battle for the top 6 will be close and very interesting to follow between so many teams. In contrario,
the battle for avoiding the relegation shouldn't have any suspense as 3 clubs will be only concerned (with one club which
will have high risks for a direct relegation).
Please, just notice it's only my opinion. Of course, I can be wrong and other people can have different opinions. Feel
free to express your own opinion.
It's always fun to discover how wrong will be your own predictions at the end ofthe regular season.
Some links for following the Danish League:
Overview of the transfers for all the clubs: https://www.hbold.dk/nyheder/transferli ... n_2015-16/
Livescore and all the statistics: http://boxerligaerne.dk/
TV2 sport DK (handball page): http://sporten.tv2.dk/haandbold
DR DK (handball page): http://www.dr.dk/sporten/haandbold
BT DK (handball page): http://www.bt.dk/sektion/haandbold
Facebook pages of all clubs:
https://www.facebook.com/FCMHaandbold
https://www.facebook.com/TeamEsbjergDameHandboldLigaen
https://www.facebook.com/teamtvisholstebro
https://www.facebook.com/hcodense
https://www.facebook.com/ViborgHK
https://www.facebook.com/randershk
https://www.facebook.com/KBHBolddk
https://fr-fr.facebook.com/SKAarhus
https://fr-fr.facebook.com/nfhaandboldklub
https://da-dk.facebook.com/silkeborgvoelkfum
https://da-dk.facebook.com/RingkobingHaandbold
https://da-dk.facebook.com/sedamehbold
But hoping not to jinx them, I believe that if they play up to their best, they belong in top 3 
