Denmark defeated France 28-26 in the gold medal match of the men's handball tournament at Rio 2016 on Sunday (21 August), dashing French hopes of winning Olympic gold for the third time in a row.

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No country has ever won three men's handball competitions at the Olympic Games, but reigning world and Olympic champions France were heavily favoured ahead of the final in the Future Arena.

For Denmark, twice European champions and three times runners-up in the world championship, this is their first ever Olympic gold in handball.

"I can't believe it. It's a dream come true," Denmark's Casper Mortensen said.

"We haven't beaten France in such a long time, they've not lost a final. This means everything for Denmark."

Powered by a strong goal-scoring performance by Mikkel Hansen and a superb effort in goal by Niklas Landin, the Danes led 16-14 at half-time and never looked back. Hansen scored eight times in the match.

This is Denmark's first Olympic medal in men's handball. The country's previous best finish in this competition was fourth place at Los Angeles 1984.

In the women's event, Denmark has collected Olympic handball titles in 1996, 2000 and 2004.

France looks to be first team to win three consecutive handball gold medals

Sunday's result also means that France has now picked up two silvers in handball at Rio 2016; on Saturday, the French women's side lost the gold medal match 19-22 to Russia.

Russia battle to historic handball gold with 22-19 win over France

"Of course we are very disappointed but we are happy that both the female and male French teams were in the final," France's Nikola Karabatic said after the men's final on Sunday. "The Danish were stronger than us today and we had some difficulties, physically, towards the end of the game.

"I think that we were tired and that's why we lost, basically. But in spite of it all we have a silver medal and this is historical too – two French teams with silver medals."

Germany beats Poland to bronze

Earlier on Sunday, Germany won bronze in the men's handball tournament, defeating Poland by a comfortable 31-25.

Both teams had lost their semi-finals after dramatic finishes – Germany after a French goal in the last second of the match and Poland after extra-time against Denmark – but the young German team looked hungrier for a medal.

Germany, the only team in the event with an average age under 26, followed this year's European championship victory with a straightforward victory for third place.