Article by Ionuţ Iordache, Adrian Jitea – Published on Tuesday, 02 December 2025, 09:24 / Updated on Tuesday, 02 December 2025 09:25
The end of the match between Romania and Denmark was more tense than the score shows, 39-31 victory of the Nordics. There was an exchange of words between the two benches, the selector Helle Thomsen shouting in the direction of the tricolor staff.
- Reporter Adrian Jitea and photojournalist Ionuț Iordache are in Rotterdam and convey all the information and images that matter.
Romania was leading Denmark in the 33rd minute, but conceded without the right to appeal in the continuation of the game. Even though the score was a reassuring one in favor of the Danes, Helle Thomsen called for a time-out with 20 seconds left.
The selector got terribly angry when she was allegedly accused of a lack of fair play and shouted in the direction of the bank of Romania. In the interviews offered at the end, the former coach from CSM Bucharest explained what happened.
Helle Thomsen, unleashed towards the bank of Romania
“I'm very good friends with their assistant coach (No. Iulia Curea), I also know the selector very well. They were very angry that I took that time out. We did it because every goal counted for us. They considered the gesture unsportsmanlike.
I also talked to some players. I don't think they were aware that goal difference can matter. You can't be upset when you play in a World Championship where the number of goals is important,” Thomsen explained to Sport TV2.
In theory, Helle Thomsen is right. In case of a tie between 3 teams, the total goal difference from the direct matches counts. Practical, it is impossible to reach the scenario invoked by the Danish coach.
For Denmark to fall to the 3rd place in the main group, Romania should, for example, beat Hungary with 9 goals, and the Hungarians should also win with 9 goals difference in the dispute with the Nordics. Under these conditions, the ranking would show: Romania (+1), Hungary (0), Denmark (-1). Pure fiction!
And peace at the end
The two selectors reconciled in the studio at the end of the match.
We hugged, we are good friends again. That's how it should be
– Helle Thomsen
We had a little problem with that time-out, the game was over, they were 8 or 9 goals ahead. Yes, I know, everything is fine now. I have a very good relationship with Helle. It happens during matches, all kinds of emotions arise. It's ok now
– Ovidiu Mihăila
- Helle Thomsen coached CSM Bucharest twice. At the end of June 2025, the Dane announced that she would no longer continue on the technical bench of the Romanian champion. In that mandate, Iulia Curea was “second”.
Ranking when entering the main group:
|
Nation |
puncture |
goal difference |
|
1. Denmark |
4 |
75-50 |
|
2. Hungary |
4 |
58-42 |
|
3. Romania |
2 |
62-66 |
|
4. Switzerland |
2 |
50-56 |
|
5. Senegal |
0 |
41-51 |
|
6. Japan |
0 |
46-67 |
The first two places will qualify for the quarter-finals. The other national teams will not play any more matches, they will be positioned in the final ranking of the competition according to the number of points and goal difference.
Romania's schedule in the main group:
- December 3 » Hungary – Romania
- December 5 » Romania – Senegal
- December 7 » Switzerland – Romania
Results recorded in preliminary group A:
