Story Summary
Sønderjyske have claimed the final berth in the Metal Final4, completing a field that also includes Herning Blue Fox, Frederikshavn White Hawks and Esbjerg Energy. The qualification gives Sønderjyske a seventh appearance in the competition and renews their chance to add to two previous titles.
Herning arrive as the most successful club in the format’s history, having won three titles. Frederikshavn return for the first time since 2022, while Esbjerg are back for only their second Final4 appearance after reaching the final on their debut in 2021.
Key Facts
- Herning Blue Fox are heading to their seventh Final4 after qualifying for every edition since 2022.
- Herning have won three of the past four Final4 tournaments and own three titles overall.
- Frederikshavn White Hawks are making their fourth Final4 appearance and their first since 2022.
- Frederikshavn won their only Final4 title in 2020, when Tadeas Galansky recorded a shutout in a 2-0 final victory over Rungsted Seier Capital.
- Esbjerg Energy reached the 2021 final in their only previous Final4 appearance after beating Aalborg 5-4 on penalties in the semi-final.
- Sønderjyske have won two Final4 titles, in 2021 and three years later.
IHM Discussion
The four qualifiers bring sharply different Final4 histories into the event. Herning have made the tournament a regular destination and have converted that consistency into three trophies, including a 4-2 final win over Aalborg Pirates in 2023. Their 2025 title required overtime, with Derian Plouffe deciding a 4-3 final against Herlev Eagles, before a far more emphatic 6-2 win over Herlev in January 2026. Hjalte Thomsen was named the tournament’s player of the tournament after that latest success.
Frederikshavn’s return carries a different kind of memory. They lost the 2019 final 3-2 to Rungsted after leading 2-0 through two periods, but responded the following year by beating the same opponents 2-0. Galansky’s shutout underpinned that victory, Kristian Jensen ended the scoring drought and Anders Eriksson added an empty-net goal. The White Hawks had reached that final by defeating Aalborg 5-4 on penalties, with Nikolaj Krag-Christensen scoring the decisive attempt.
Esbjerg’s single prior appearance was also eventful. Brady Shaw scored the only goal in the penalty shoot-out against Aalborg in 2021, while Mads Søgaard stopped every attempt. Esbjerg then entered the final level at 2-2 after two periods against Sønderjyske, only for Brendan Harms and Yannick Vedel to secure a 4-2 Sønderjyske win.
That 2021 title was Sønderjyske’s first. They had overturned a looming semi-final defeat to Rungsted to win 4-3, and Mike Little supplied three assists across the tournament before being named player of the tournament. Their second title came with a 7-0 final win over Rungsted in Aalborg, where Mattias Pettersson posted a shutout and received the player of the tournament award.
Why It Matters
The completed field combines the competition’s established benchmark with three clubs returning on the strength of very different past experiences. Herning’s three titles set the historical standard, but Sønderjyske have twice shown they can win the tournament, including their 2021 final against Esbjerg. Frederikshavn return with a title of their own, while Esbjerg have already demonstrated that a first Final4 appearance can become a run to the final.
That narrow route makes their place in the four-team event especially significant after they missed the tournament in January 2026.
Mini Q&A
Which teams have qualified for the Metal Final4?
Herning Blue Fox, Frederikshavn White Hawks, Esbjerg Energy and Sønderjyske have qualified.
Which club has won the most Metal Final4 titles?
Herning Blue Fox are the competition’s most successful club with three Final4 titles.
When did Esbjerg last play in the Final4?
Esbjerg last appeared in 2021, when they reached the final in their debut Final4 campaign.
IHM Final View
Sønderjyske’s late qualification has completed a Final4 field with genuine tournament pedigree. Herning lead the way on titles and recent success, but Frederikshavn, Esbjerg and Sønderjyske each carry a distinct history of major Final4 moments into the event.