Gidsel dismisses German criticism of Danish fans ahead of European Championship final

Mathias Gidsel in action against Iceland
Mathias Gidsel in action against IcelandCredit: ČTK / imago sportfotodienst / Marco Wolf

World Handballer Mathias Gidsel says that he doesn't understand German criticism of Danish spectators booing other teams when they are playing at the Jyske Bank Boxen ahead of the European Championship finale against Germany.

In the German media, fans have complained that the Danish spectators in the Boxen Arena have booed opponents when they were attacking the Danish goal. 

But Danish star player Mathias Gidsel does not understand that criticism.

"That's part of it. It's just because they support us, and that's how it should be in sport. Excuse me, I can't quite understand it", said the leading goal scorer in the tournament to the Ritzau News Agency.

"I can't quite understand the argument. That's what it's like to play away. We are in Denmark, and the arena is almost full of Danes. I would be sad if they didn't put energy into supporting their national team", he said.

Gidsel, who plays for Fuchse Berlin on a daily basis, encourages German spectators to look at their own behaviour before they start accusing other countries.

"I'm used to playing in the Bundesliga, and it's much worse there. And that's how it should be. When I play in Flensburg, Kiel or Magdeburg, their fans put pressure on me, because I don't play for them", said Gidsel, who recalls the EURO two years ago on German soil where Denmark and Germany clashed in the semi-final.

"It was exactly the same in Cologne two years ago when we played there. I have never experienced such pressure from the spectators, so the Germans do it themselves. And that's the way it should be."