Denmark about facing Spain: ”Let´s see if we can shake them up”

Denmark put pressure on the big nation France in the first group game. It finally took the third set in the last match for France to win, 2-1 in matches. 

— I think they underestimated us, the danish Esben Hess-Olesen says. 

MARBELLA. 

Esben Hess-Olesen and his partner Nils Skajaa won their match against Jeremy Scatena and Thomas Leygue and equalized to 1-1 in matches against France's top-ranked team. 

— I think they underestimated us. We are fighting hard. Honestly, I don´t know any about the French players, Esben Hess-Olesen says. 

Denmark had the toughest possible draw and faced clear favorite Spain and the team that many predict as a medal candidate, France. The fourth team was San Marino. 

— It was mixed emotions. But, of course, facing Spain is a huge experience for us. So let´s see if we can shake them up like France. 

Esben Hess-Olesen and Nils Skajaa is the number one pair in Denmark. A year ago, the pair stopped mixing tennis and padel and decided to focus only on padel. 

Now they are in the European Championship for the first time. 

— It is just a big experience. We, as a team, have no pressure and can play without nerves. None of us have played internationally before, Esben Hess-Olesen says. 

Denmark is one of many countries where padel is growing rapidly.

Next year, in 2022 and 2023 World Padel Tour have announced a tournament in Copenhagen. At the moment, there is only one WPT tournament in the Nordic countries. In 2018 and 2019, it took place in Bastad, and now in November, it will be played in Malmo. 

— It´s a big step for us. That's going to put some attention on padel in Denmark, 

Now Spain and San Marino await the Danish team. And Esben Hess-Olesen is looking forward to the matches. When asked who he would like to face most, he answers: 

— Of course, Paquito or Juan Martin Diaz, but honestly, every player is really good.