If Denmark is to make their way all the way to the finals, they need to make sure that a small group of players preserve their strength and consequently Helena Elver, Anne Mette Hansen, Anna Kristensen and Michala Moller started on the bench.
This made room for names such as Sarah Paulsen, Amalie Milling and Nanna Hinnerfeldt in the starting lineup, and due to the large number of substitutions, Denmark's start to the match was anything but perfect.
Technical errors, missed chances and defensive blunders characterized the initial phase, where Senegal - helped by two very persistent fans right behind the bench - was a small step ahead.
The few Danish fans sporadically tried to respond to the Senegalese support in an arena that was almost empty.
Gradually the brave Danish fans got something to cheer about as the Danes slowly but surely settled into their stylish stride and the Senegalese had no weapons against the threat of Julie Scaglione.
The game was effectively decided at halftime, with Denmark leading 20-11. Thus the second half was devoid of any real excitement, much to the pleasure of Danish national team coach Helle Thomsen who was able to give the lesser names in the Danish squad a chance to shine.
It was clear, however, that the Danes - perhaps very understandably - could not keep up the intensity throughout the game and the final phase was mostly characterized by the Danes running down the clock.