Nordics

Danish cycling legend Bjarne Riis and his business partner, Lars Seier Christensen, have taken on title sponsorship of a third-tier UCI Continental team as part of their ongoing efforts to establish an elite WorldTour squad.

The Swedish Hockey League, the country’s top division of club ice hockey, has entered into a partnership with Nordic-facing online betting operator NordicBet.

French multinational energy firm Total has entered into a one-year partnership with the World Rallycross Championship.

Insurance firm Argo Group has been named an official partner of the Artemis Racing team for its campaign in the America’s Cup sailing event.

The Sports Consultancy agency has said it will develop an “innovative commercial programme” for the 2018 World Sailing Championships in the Danish city of Aarhus after entering into a partnership with event organisers.

The Danish Football Association (DBU) has entered into a new partnership with sportswear brand Hummel.

The Swedish Handball Federation has entered into a partnership with specialist handball apparel and equipment manufacturer Kempa.

Work and safety wear manufacturer Engelbert Strauss has renewed its official sponsorship of the European Handball Federation’s leading national team tournaments for their 2016 and 2018 editions.

Swedish football club Hammarby has agreed a partnership with Japanese tyre company Yokohama.

Renewable materials firm Stora Enso has agreed a deal to become the presenting sponsor of the International Ski Federation’s (FIS) Nordic World Championships in 2017.

The International Handball Federation has agreed a partnership with the Nordic branch of the banking group Santander ahead of the 2015 Women’s Handball World Championships.

The Swedish ice hockey league has renewed its sponsorship agreement with Svenska Spel, the state-owned gambling company in the country.

Golf and lifestyle apparel brand Loudmouth has renewed its partnership with the Norway men’s curling team.

Grundfos, a leading pump manufacturer, has signed up as a sponsor of the men’s and women’s Euro 2016 European Handball Federation tournaments.

Norwegian oil and gas company Statoil has extended its agreement to serve as the main sponsor of the Arctic Race of Norway cycling event.

Home improvement and garden products retailer Bauhaus has renewed its association with the European Handball Federation’s national team championships for their 2016 editions.

Danish shoe manufacturer Ecco is looking to golf for additional retail opportunities, Jesper Thuen, global marketing manager at Ecco, told Sports Sponsorship Insider.

German sports betting company Tipico has entered into a partnership with the Danish Football Association (DBU) national governing body.