"I will play until I will have fun" - Jacobsen, the oldest player at #EuroVolleyM
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Axel Jacobsen, 42 years old, is the oldest player at the CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026. He is the captain of Denmark, which today will play Finland at the opening match of Pool C in Tampere.
Just a couple of days before the beginning of CEV Enel EuroVolley 2026, the Danish setter became the most-capped player in the history of Denmark’s men’s national volleyball team with 251 international appearances.
"For me, it is an honour and a privilege.I am very happy that I have been able to play for so long and in so many matches, especially for the national team. Especially today, I am very happy to be with the guys and to represent Denmark."
When it comes to his age, he has no doubts: “I am again very honoured, because playing at 42 means that my body has allowed me to play for so many years. Of course, I have taken care of myself through diet, sleep and training. But I have to thank my parents who gave me a good body that has been able to last for so long while playing volleyball".
After EuroVolley he will play in Azerbaijan for the club season. A sign it’s not time yet to think about retiring. “I think it is a matter of taking it day by day and year by year. I do not want to continue playing once I am no longer having fun. The moment I no longer enjoy playing Volleyball, I will stop. I do not have a particular date or year in mind. When I stop enjoying it and it is no longer fun, there will be no reason to continue playing".
Jacobsen is not only the Danish captain, but also the setter, the mind behind almost every play of his team. As he had experienced so many matches during his career, he may have noticed how his role had changed during the years. “It changed a lot. I joined the national team when I was 19 years old, if I remember correctly, so many changes have taken place. Earlier in my career, I was much more physical. Now, I focus more on keeping the team together and guiding the guys so that they can play in the best possible way - he reflected - That is more my job now, because I cannot score points through attacking, blocking and serving in the same way I did before. Instead, I try to help my teammates perform as well as possible."
The most distinguished characteristic of Jacobsen is that he was born in Argentina, he speaks Spanish and he flies there with his whole family as much as he can, during the season break. “From my Argentinian part I think I try to bring something positive to the team, along with leadership and sometimes creativity. Sometimes I also play risky balls. Coaches have occasionally told me, “Don’t do that,” because it was too risky."