Silkeborg, Denmark is the site of an amusing moment for sports commentator Stine Oftedal Dahmke, who inadvertently caused a stir during live coverage of the European Handball Championships. A seemingly innocuous remark about a German player’s movement sparked a family discussion-and headlines-after her husband, German team member Rune Dahmke, revealed the misunderstanding within their family’s group chat. The incident adds a lighthearted element to the high-stakes competition as Germany prepares to face Norway on Saturday.
SILKEBORG – Stine Oftedal Dahmke, a TV analyst for Viaplay during the European Championships, found herself in an awkward moment on the very first day of coverage.
“That’s exactly the kind of movement I like to see. Lots of pace, and Sander [Sagosen] really took that second defender well,” Oftedal commented.
“Oops, sorry,” she quickly responded, letting out a sheepish laugh.
On Friday, Dagbladet spoke with her husband, Rune Dahmke, who is part of the German team set to face Norway on Saturday. He explained that the gaffe was a hot topic within the family’s Snapchat group. After a quick translation, he understood the source of the amusement.
“I think she’s so embarrassed. She hasn’t sweated this much since the Olympic final [her last handball match],” Dahmke joked in an interview with Dagbladet and Viaplay.
FATHER AND SON: After the loss to France in the Handball European Championship, Sander Sagosen met his son on the court. Video: Myhrvold Simensen/Skingen/Dagbladet Photo: Langsem/Dagbladet
The slip of the tongue quickly became a talking point in several national media outlets.
“I know she really doesn’t want to be part of these headlines, but it’s fun that it also landed with Sander Sagosen. It’s given us a good conversation starter in the family group,” he continued.
And apologies, Stine, there’s another one. Dagbladet offered Oftedal Dahmke the opportunity to comment on the situation Friday, but she has not yet responded to our inquiry.
The minor verbal misstep became a topic in several national media outlets.
“I know she really doesn’t want to be a part of these headlines, but it’s fun that it also landed with Sander Sagosen. It’s given us a good talking point in the family,” he added.
And apologies, Stine, there’s another one.
To clarify, the unintentional gaffe was an attempt at a handball-specific analysis. When she referred to “the second,” she wasn’t referencing a part of the human anatomy, but rather the second-outermost defender, whom Sagosen had targeted in that particular play.
On Saturday, she will be in the studio when her husband plays against Norway.
“Knowing that Stine is in the studio trying to analyze what I’m doing wrong is special,” Dahmke admitted.
It’s been just a year and a half since she retired, but this marks her fourth championship working as a TV expert. The couple also welcomed a baby girl this past summer.
“I think it’s great to have this job. It’s nice for her to be able to stay involved in handball, keep in touch with the players and the sport. It’s also good to see her have something that resembles a normal life, as she’s taken on a lot of responsibility since the little one arrived.”
“Are you thinking about what she might say about you on TV when you play?”
“Not really, I know she’s going to be nicer to me than I deserve,” he laughed.
Last year, Oftedal Dahmke was overcome with emotion while watching her husband’s quarterfinal thriller at the World Championships.
“I’m the same. I’ve never jumped so much in front of a TV as when I watched her play,” Dahmke said.
“What kind of support have you been for each other?”
“For me, it’s been enormous. You don’t need to explain anything. You know the other person is going through the same thing for many years, it’s been very nice. You get straight to the point every time. It’s nice to share not only private life, but also handball life.”
This week, both Oftedal and her daughter visited the German team’s hotel in Silkeborg, a short half-hour drive from the championship city of Herning. This has made headlines in the German newspaper Bild. The handball couple now lives together in Kiel, where Dahmke has played for many years.
“For me, it’s been fantastic. We had a long-distance relationship for seven years, now we’ve been together almost every day for a year and a half. It’s been a big change, and with Amelie in addition, but it’s been a dream.”
HANDBALL EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIP: Several of the Norwegian players were clearly dissatisfied with the referees and the delegate after the loss to France. Video: Tipser
After stumbling against Serbia, the Germans have rebounded. They are the only team in Norway’s main round group with four points, and enter the match against Norway as the favorites.
