LILLEHAMMER, Norway (AFP) - Denmark beat Olympic champions Croatia 24-20 on Sunday to win the men's European handball title and book themselves a place in the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Germany, who could only manage fourth place here, will also go to the Games courtesy of being world champions while hosts China, South American champions Brazil and African champions Egypt have already made sure of their spots.

On Sunday, the Danes clinched their first continental title after finishing third in the last three editions as well as being bronze medallists at the 2007 world championships.

Inspired by Lasse Boesen and Lars Christiansen, the Danes were 13-10 in front by the break and steadily built their lead throughout the closing stages.

Croatia's star player Ivano Balic was unable to spark a comeback from his team who had boasted before the tournament that they were coming to Norway to win the title.