Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark becomes 2014 European Men's Handball Championships patron

By Gary Anderson

January 2 - Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark has been named as the official patron of the 2014 European Men's Handball Championships, which is due to take place across four Danish cities between January 12 and 26.

The Crown Prince, who is also an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member, has a long association with the sport - which is one of the most popular activities in Denmark.

At the age of nine, he helped carry out the draw for the 1978 men's World Championships - the last men's handball championship finals to be staged in Denmark until now - and he was a key figure in securing this year's European Championships hosting rights for his nation at the 2010 European Handball Federation (EHF) Congress in Copenhagen.

The 45-year-old is also a keen sportsman and has run a number of marathons, as well as competing in the 2013 Copenhagen Ironman competition.

He is also an accomplished sailor and is a member of the International Sailing Federation (ISAF).

"It is no exaggeration to state that Crown Prince Frederik's support over the years has been of vital importance for Danish handball in general and the Danish Handball Federation [DHF] in particular," DHF secretary general Morten Stig Christensen said.

"And in the Organising Committee for Euro 2014, we are extraordinarily pleased and honoured that the Crown Prince has chosen to accept the role of patron of the greatest handball event ever to take place in Denmark."

Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark is a keen sailor and is a member of the ISAF ©AFP/Getty Images

Defending champions Denmark, who defeated hosts Serbia in the 2012 final in Belgrade, will be one of 16 teams taking part in this year's Championships and they will be looking to make it three wins from four having also taken the title in Norway in 2008.

Reigning world champions Spain and current Olympic champions France will also be major forces during the two-week tournament, which will see matches taking place at the Gigantium in Aalborg and Brøndby Hall in Copenhagen during the preliminary rounds.

The NRGi Arena in Aarhus will host matches in both the preliminary and main rounds, while the 14,000-capacity Jyske Bank Boxen in Herning will be the venue for the final, as well as for preliminary and main round matches.

Hosts Denmark will be looking to defend their European title following victory over Serbia in 2012 ©Bongarts/Getty Images

The draw for the Championships took place in Herning last June.

Group A consists of Denmark, Austria, Czech Republic and Macedonia; Group B is made up of Spain, Hungary, Iceland and Norway; Group C contains France, Russia, Serbia and Poland, while Group D sees London 2012 silver medallists Sweden up against bronze medallists Croatia, as well as Belarus and Montenegro.

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