Perhaps Euro 2020’s biggest dark horse with an impressive recent record, 1992 champions Denmark head into the tournament confident that they can build upon their run to the knockout stage of the 2018 World Cup.
World Number 1 side Belgium are the only nation to have beaten the Danes since September 2018 and though the nations will meet again in Group B, Denmark will be hopeful of progression.
Group B: DENMARK, Finland, Belgium, Russia
Captain: Simon Kjær
Head Coach: Kasper Hjulmand
FIFA Ranking: 10
Best Finish: Champions – 1992
Fixtures:
DENMARK v Finland – 12 June, 17:00 (BST). Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark
DENMARK v Belgium – 17 June, 17:00 (BST). Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Russia v DENMARK – 21 June, 20:00 (BST). Parken Stadium, Copenhagen, Denmark.
Qualification
The Danes earned passage to the Euro 2020 finals by virtue of a second-place finish behind Switzerland in qualification group D. Despite going undefeated through their eight fixtures, Denmark earned just four wins which ultimately sealed second place by just three points ahead of the Republic of Ireland. Georgia and Gibraltar propped up the group.
Squad
Goalkeepers: Jonas Lössl (Midtjylland), Frederik Rønnow (Schalke), Kasper Schmeichel (Leicester)
Defenders: Joachim Andersen (Fulham), Nicolai Boilesen (Copenhagen), Andreas Christensen (Chelsea), Mathias Jørgensen (Copenhagen), Simon Kjær (AC Milan), Joakim Mæhle (Atalanta), Jens Stryger Larsen (Udinese), Jannik Vestergaard (Southampton)
Midfielders: Anders Christiansen (Malmö), Thomas Delaney (Dortmund), Christian Eriksen (Inter Milan), Pierre-Emile Højbjerg (Tottenham), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Christian Nørgaard (Brentford), Robert Skov (Hoffenheim), Daniel Wass (Valencia)
Forwards: Martin Braithwaite (Barcelona), Andreas Cornelius (Parma), Mikkel Damsgaard (Sampdoria), Kasper Dolberg (Nice), Andreas Skov Olsen (Bologna), Yussuf Poulsen (Leipzig), Jonas Wind (Copenhagen)
Source: UEFA.com
Danger Man – Christian Eriksen
The only member of Denmark’s squad to have reached double figures in goals for his country, 29-year-old Christian Eriksen needs no introduction.
Despite his stock falling in his final years at Spurs, Eriksen remains a lethal free-kick and penalty taker while also possessing world-class vision and playmaking skills. A Serie A champion in 2020/21 with Inter Milan, Eriksen will carry the hopes of a nation in attack.
One to watch – Jonas Wind
Though not guaranteed game time in this tournament, 22-year-old Jonas Wind is likely to be monitored by clubs around Europe after an impressive season with Copenhagen and a solid start to his international career.
Linked with West Ham in January though no move eventually materialised, Wind is a versatile target man capable of pulling defenders out of position and working defenders into the ground. Could we see his name on the back of a Premier League shirt next season?
Premier League Representation
A host of Danish talent has played in the Premier League and continues to. Andreas Christensen, Joachim Andersen, Kasper Schmeichel, Jannik Vestergaard and Pierre-Emile Højbjerg all featured in the Premier League in 2020/21, while Christian Eriksen, Mathias Jørgensen and Jonas Lössl have appeared in the last three years.
Brentford fans will be excited to see their midfield duo of Mathias Jensen and Christian Nørgaard on the international stage, with both likely to be a part of the West London side’s plans for their first ever Premier League season next campaign.
Route to the Final
- If Denmark top the group, they will play the team that finishes third in Group A, D, E or F.
- If Denmark finish second, they will face the team that finishes second in Group A (Turkey, Italy, Wales, Switzerland)
- If they finish as one of the four best third-placed teams, they will play the winner of either Group E or F.
After the second round, the draw will depend on which third-place teams qualified for the knockout stages.
Stats
- Denmark were one of three teams that did not lose a match at the 2018 World Cup (also France and Spain).
- Denmark have only won more than one game at a single European Championship on two occasions – 1984 and 1992 (both 2).
