Denmark unveils new talent pathway to nurture next generation with sights set on EuroVolley

After securing third place in the CEV Volleyball European League earlier this season, Team Denmark will compete at the CEV EuroVolley for the second straight edition in early September. In the meantime, for the first time ever, a Danish sports college will team up with the National Federation to develop new talents. 

“Danish clubs are doing an extremely good job these years. In this new partnership with the school ISI we are providing better opportunities for our youth national teams to develop as they can now go to camps for 3-14 days and practice, sleep, live, eat and socialise together,” says Sebastian Mikelsons, Sports Director at Volleyball Danmark, as he shares his view about the new chapter of the local movement. From this year on, Volleyball Danmark and ISI (a Danish sports college) will join forces to develop talents, training and education among the local youngsters and maybe future professional players and coaches of the national teams. The programme is open to both girls and boys, indoor and Beach Volleyball, and will be taking care of both physical and mental strength of the players. 

“With the federation’s limited resources, we have not always been able to offer our youth national teams training camps like that. Now the new Talent Team called ‘Middle and North Jutland’ playing matches in the 2nd Division North can become a new pathway in our talent development system. This new team will not only be for athletes from ISI but will also be open to talented players from across the region. However, all training sessions and matches will take place at ISI,” Mikelsons continues. 

In a nutshell, student-athletes, for the first time in Danish history, will have access to facilities, accommodation and catering, with the chance to have longer training sessions and maybe become part of the youth national teams. 

The project is now settled for 2026/2027 and the coming season. With the great results of the men’s senior national team in the recent European League, this programme seems perfect to set the path for an even greater future. “In five years, I hope we have more players competing at an international level, more qualified coaches across the country, and stronger cooperation between clubs, schools and the Federation. Looking ten years ahead, the ambition is to establish Denmark as a nation that consistently develops talented players and regularly qualifies for major international championships. That requires patience and long-term thinking, but creating better daily training environments is one of the most important steps towards that goal,” he continues. 

And what to expect from the upcoming EuroVolley in Tampere? “If we can play at our best level, I believe we can surprise a few teams and win some matches which will hopefully take us to the knock-out phase. We want to compete in every match, challenge our opponents, and show that Denmark belongs on this stage. Beyond the results, EuroVolley is also an important milestone in the long-term development of Danish Volleyball. It gives our players invaluable experience, raises the visibility of the sport back home, and shows young athletes that it is possible to reach the highest international level,” Mikelsons concludes.