The teams were drawing 13-13 at half-time, but it was the Danes that ultimately prevailed, 22-20, in the Group C clash held at the Large EWE Arena.

Denmark’s goalkeeper Sandra Toft was named the player of the match.

"I was really nervous before this decisive match and right now I’m just happy that we’re in the eight-finals," she said.

"Sometimes you have to be lucky.

"We knew that they have a lot of quality in their team which they showed in this great fight today."

Russia remain top of Group C after making it four wins out of four with a hard-fought 29-28 victory over Japan.

Montenegro are third, behind Denmark, having beaten winless Tunisia 29-23 today.

In Group D, Serbia and hosts Germany are still both undefeated with the former drawing 27-27 with The Netherlands and the latter overcoming China 24-9.

Today’s other match in the group, which is being contested at the Arena Leipzig, saw South Korea beat Cameroon 33-21.

The results mean South Korea and The Netherlands have joined Germany and Serbia in reaching the last-16.

Germany lead the Group D standings with seven points, while Serbia and South Korea are second and third respectively with six each. 

The Netherlands are fourth with five points.

Cameroon and China remain on zero points and have been eliminated.

Action in Groups C and D is scheduled to conclude on Friday (December 8).

The penultimate round of matches in Groups A and B are due to take place tomorrow.