Holbaek Edge Copenhagen Wolfpack 80-77 in Danish Basketball League Thriller

Holbaek opened their Danish Basketball League campaign with a hard-fought 80-77 home win over Copenhagen Wolfpack on October 2, 2026, holding off a late rally to secure a three-point victory. In a game that stayed close from the opening tip, Holbaek made just enough plays down the stretch to protect home court and claim an important early-season result.

Match Overview

The contest was a defensive battle for long stretches, with neither team able to build a double-digit lead. Holbaek led 20-18 after the first quarter and took a 38-36 advantage into halftime. Copenhagen Wolfpack responded in the third, using a 19-14 period to move ahead 55-52 heading into the final ten minutes. But Holbaek found another gear in the fourth, outscoring the visitors 28-22 to close out the 80-77 win.

The game featured 11 lead changes and six ties, underlining how evenly matched the two sides were. Holbaek shot 44% from the field and went 18-of-23 from the free-throw line, while Copenhagen Wolfpack connected on just 9 of 32 attempts from beyond the arc. The rebounding battle was nearly even, but Holbaek’s second-chance points and late-game composure proved decisive.

Key Moments

The decisive stretch came midway through the fourth quarter. Trailing 68-64, Holbaek went on a 10-2 run capped by a corner three from Mads Rasmussen, taking a 74-70 lead. Copenhagen answered to tie the game at 74-74, but Holbaek’s defense forced two critical turnovers in the final two minutes. Rasmussen then knocked down four straight free throws to seal the win.

Copenhagen Wolfpack had a final chance to force overtime, but a contested three-pointer from Marcus Bell rimmed out with two seconds remaining. Holbaek secured the rebound and ran out the clock, sending the home crowd into celebration.

Tactical Story

Holbaek’s game plan centered on controlling tempo and limiting Copenhagen’s transition opportunities. The home side used a compact half-court defense, forcing the Wolfpack into difficult perimeter shots. On offense, Holbaek attacked the paint through pick-and-roll actions and offensive rebounds, generating enough second-chance points to offset a quiet night from deep.

Copenhagen Wolfpack tried to speed the game up with full-court pressure in the second half, and it nearly worked. Their 1-2-2 trap created several turnovers and sparked the third-quarter run, but Holbaek adjusted by using Rasmussen as a primary ball handler and attacking the middle of the press. The Wolfpack’s 28% three-point shooting ultimately limited their comeback chances.

Standout Players

• Mads Rasmussen (Holbaek): 21 points, 5 rebounds, 6 assists, including the go-ahead three and four clutch free throws.
• Jonas Hansen (Holbaek): 16 points, 11 rebounds, 2 blocks, anchoring the interior on both ends.
• Rasmus Nielsen (Holbaek): 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 steals, providing energy off the bench.
• Marcus Bell (Copenhagen Wolfpack): 22 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists, carrying the offense for long stretches.
• Darius Cole (Copenhagen Wolfpack): 15 points, 5 assists, 2 steals, sparking the third-quarter rally.

Standings and Season Impact

The win gives Holbaek valuable momentum in the Danish Basketball League standings and a positive start to their home schedule. For Copenhagen Wolfpack, the narrow loss is a frustrating result but also a sign that they can compete on the road against playoff-caliber opposition. The head-to-head result could matter later in the season if both teams are fighting for the same postseason seeding.

Holbaek will look to build on their late-game execution in the next round, while Copenhagen Wolfpack will focus on improving their perimeter shooting and reducing turnovers in crunch time. In a league where road wins are precious, this 80-77 result already feels like one Holbaek may look back on with significance.