Sweden was whipped to win because the top teams in the group, Russia and France, played 28-28 earlier today.
Denmark could not afford to lose either - and it was noticed.
It was an even and dramatic battle that was decided only in the final minutes.
After a first half that wavered back and forth on goal, it became an all the closer second.
Despite expulsions in both teams disrupting and hacking up the game, Sweden and Denmark kept pace.
At most, there were two balls difference in the second half.
But a weak penalty shot lowered Sweden when the match stood and weighed in the final minutes.
At a 21-22 deficit, Kristin Thorleifsdottir pulled the ball on the Danish goalkeeper's leg and with 32 seconds left, it was Nathalie Hagman's turn to miss.
Hagman, who missed a penalty in almost the same situation in the European Championships two years ago against Sandra Toft, pulled the ball over the goal.
In total in the match, Sweden scored only two of seven penalties.