Danish Olympic champions Jonas Warrer and Martin Ibsen said Monday "a dream came true" after a dramatic victory in the skiff dinghy-49.
"I couldn't have written a more exciting thriller. It has been inhuman and extremely tough," Martin Ibsen told reporters after protests against their win had been turned down, dpa reported.
Jonas Warrer told the online edition of the Politiken newspaper: "This is a dream come true. A dream I have had since I sailed optimist dinghies at aged 10 to 12."
Warrer said he would enjoy a couple of beers and try to comprehend what had happened.
Warrer said the Croatian team was "worth a medal" and hoped the Danish Sailing Assocation would investigate if the Croatians could be awarded a medal for good sportsmanship, the Politiken newspaper said.
The Danish duo were able to complete Sunday's race after they used a boat borrowed from the Croatian team after they broke a mast on the way to the start of the final race, which took place with waves of up to two metres.
The decision was welcomed in sailing circles with German team head, Hans Sendes, echoing the views of many when he described the ruling as being "for the benefit of the sport."