After the sensational 31-29 defeat to Portugal in the final preliminary group match at the European Championship, the Danish world champions must rise to the occasion against the toughest possible opponent on Thursday. In Boxen in Herning, the wounded Danes will face none other than France’s reigning European champions, and it will be quite a challenge.

But it is a match that must be won, along with the remaining three against Norway, Germany, and Spain in a historically tough main round, if the dream of a semifinal spot is to remain realistic.