Danish national team head coach Linus MERNSTEN has been honoured as Coach of the Year 2025 across all sports in Denmark, a prestigious recognition announced on Saturday evening during Sports Galla 2025 in Herning.
The award was presented in front of 10,000 spectators at the venue and witnessed by approximately one million viewers watching live on Denmark’s public service broadcaster, DR (Danmarks Radio and Television).
MERNSTEN has served as Head Coach of the Danish National Table Tennis Team since 2014, playing a central role in Denmark’s steady rise on the international stage. Prior to his work in Denmark, he held national coaching positions in Sweden, Luxembourg, Spain, and England, building an extensive international coaching career.
Denmark’s leading player Anders LIND (World No. 16) underlined MERNSTEN’s impact by stating that without him, he would likely have remained around No. 200 in the world rankings, highlighting the coach’s decisive influence on elite player development.
This marks only the second time in history that a table tennis coach has received Denmark’s Coach of the Year award across all sports. The first came in 2002, when Peter SARTZ was awarded.
In a special moment, MERNSTEN was informed of the award in advance at Michael MAZE’s restaurant “John and Woo” in Copenhagen, before the public celebrations during Sports Galla 2025.
