the Netherlands beat south Korea with a 40-33. Thus, Denmark can at best be number seven at the WORLD cup.

the Danish håndboldkvinder got no shorter route to a place in the OLYMPIC qualification, as the Netherlands beat south Korea in Wednesday's first match at the WORLD cup.

As a result of the Dutch victory at 40-33, Denmark can at best be number seven at the WORLD cup, which is the requirement to get a place in the OLYMPICS-qualification.

Had the south koreans scored points in the fight, could Denmark with a victory over Serbia to secure a fifth - or sixth place in the tournament and thus a place in the OLYMPICS-qualification.

instead triggers a Danish victory over Serbia in a battle for seventh place, which is necessary in order to achieve a place in the OLYMPICS-qualification. Winner Denmark over Serbia, is the OLYMPICS-the dream burst.

Had Klavs Bruun Jørgensen and the rest of the Danish landsholdsdelegation an eye on the showdown between south Korea and the Netherlands, would the national coach was quick to see that there hardly was help on the way.

Midway through the first half was the Dutch in front with ten goals, and the match seemed settled, before the south koreans found a foothold.

With the comfortable lead disappeared the nerve center of the fight, and none of the teams played out really out. It was most evident at the two teams ' slapdash defending.

With the victory keeps the Netherlands lives in the hope of getting in the semi-final. The island's fate depends on the showdown between Norway and Germany later Wednesday.

/ritzau/