Denmark’s earlier triumph as rank outsiders within the 1992 Ecu Championships approach they can’t be underestimated through England in Workforce C.
Within the utmost game, the Danes reached the semi-finals the place they had been eradicated through Gareth Southgate’s 3 Lions, earlier than Kasper Hjulmand’s swashbuckling facet breezed via qualifying for the 2022 Qatar International Cup.
Issues were more difficult since, on the other hand.
They crashed out on the staff level in Qatar nearest failing to fireplace and, even if they crowned Euro 2024 qualifying Workforce H, they did so handiest on purpose remaining forward of Slovenia.
What are we able to be expecting from Denmark this moment round? Cast and severe is how they’ve been described past Hjulmand confirmed all through the qualifying marketing campaign a tactical flexibility having modified formation on various events.
The Danes have a just right prospect of escaping their staff, however they aren’t anticipated to copy the feat of 3 years in the past. Mikkel Damsgaard, who scored a magnificent free-kick within the semi-final defeat through England, has noticeable his profession stall at Brentford on those shores.
Christian Eriksen’s powers additionally seem to be at the wane past it used to be a miracle to Celtic supporters to be told that Matt O’Riley hadn’t been incorporated within the squad in spite of scoring 19 targets and offering 18 assists this season.
Denmark face Slovenia of their Workforce C opener
On O’Riley’s omission, head teacher Hjulmand stated: “I have chosen six other midfielders but it was tight. Damsgaard and Andreas Christensen can also cover positions in the midfield. It has gone beyond Matt, but it was a difficult choice. I know he will play a lot of international matches.”
Pressed on what O’Riley will have performed another way for Celtic to earn a place, he replied: “He couldn’t have done anything differently. He could hardly do better than what he did this season.”
Wieghorst: Denmark will have to to find method to accommodate Eriksen
Christian Eriksen will glance to encourage Denmark to glory
“We had a difficult 2023 in the qualifying campaign – finally, in the end, we qualified, which is the main thing, but we struggled in certain games,” Denmark colleague teacher Morten Wieghorst stated.
The previous Denmark midfielder stated his facet got into qualifying figuring out they’d experience a immense quantity of ownership, however, as in Qatar, they ceaselessly struggled to crack ill groups.
That, on the other hand, is not going to occur in Germany, the place they tackle England, Serbia and Slovenia in Workforce C, none of whom are prone to simply sit down again in opposition to the Danes.
“The term ‘easier’ I wouldn’t use but the games are going to be different,” Wieghorst stated wryly.
Head teacher Kasper Hjulmand is aiming for the knockouts
There were the highs of successful Euro 1992 to the month which transcended the game within the utmost game when midfielder Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest.
Regardless of Eriksen’s middle factor, and him no longer being as fleet-footed as he as soon as used to be, the 32-year-old continues to be anticipated to play games a key function for a staff during which he has been the dominant ingenious drive for greater than a decade.
“He can find that space and time to exploit the defences of the opponents, so that’s his major strength. And then in terms of pressing, we have to accommodate a player of his stature,” Wieghorst defined.
Some other main energy for the staff would be the estimated 50,000 Danes anticipated to wait the video games over the border in Germany, an asset Wieghorst does no longer underestimate.
“We want to make it exciting, we want to give them something to shout about, and to have a great party and a great time in Germany,” he stated.
How did Denmark carry out in qualifying?
Hjulmand is the second one Denmark head teacher to govern the staff in 3 consecutive main tournaments, nearest Sepp Piontek (EURO 1984, 1986 International Cup, EURO 1988). Morten Olsen used to be in rate at 4 main tournaments, however by no means 3 in a row
Denmark crowned their qualifying staff with 22 issues, the primary moment that they had crowned a Ecu qualifier staff because the 2012 version. The Danes received all 5 accommodation video games on this qualifying marketing campaign however misplaced two in their 5 clear of accommodation (W2 D1).
Enjoy may well be key in Germany. Croatia’s squad have essentially the most caps within the game, 1,169, with Luka Modric (175) considered one of 4 centurions. Portugal are 39 in the back of with Switzerland and Denmark the alternative groups above 1,000. England’s 651 is the seventh-lowest general with Scotland ninth-lowest on 744.
Strangely, Denmark – in conjunction with Albania – are the one groups with out a domestic-based participant of their respective squads.
England have a tournament-high 24 home-based gamers, with Madrid big name Bellingham and Bayern striker Kane the one exceptions, past Italy have 23 – Jorginho and Guglielmo Vicario play games in England with Gianluigi Donnarumma at PSG.
How have Denmark’s warm-up video games long gone?
Denmark’s coaching bottom is the Hermann-Saam-Stadium in Baden-Württemberg
Denmark wrapped up their Euro 2024 arrangements with a 3-1 win over Norway at Brondby Stadium that noticed Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg rating for the 3rd global sport in a row, with Erling Haaland grabbing a comfort purpose for the guests.
Midfielder Hojbjerg were given Saturday’s complaints underway with a Twelfth-minute accident from his tough proper foundation, and the Danes added a moment when defender Jannick Vestergaard headed accommodation Andreas Skov Olsen’s nook 9 mins upcoming.
With Denmark creating a slew of second-half adjustments, Haaland had a purpose chalked off nearest a VAR evaluation within the sixty fifth slight however there used to be disagree preventing him seven mins upcoming when a superior Martin Odegaard move teed him as much as shed the lack. Youssef Poulsen netted a 3rd in second-half stoppage moment.
It capped a a success era of warm-up suits nearest Eriksen scored a splendid past due winner in a 2-1 victory over Sweden at a sold-out Parken stadium 4 days previous.
It cemented his spot because the Danes’ maximum potent ingenious drive forward of the game in Germany, the place they are going to face Slovenia, England and Serbia in Workforce C, with the Slovenians up first in Stuttgart on June 16.
Can Hojlund hang-out England?
Hojlund notched seven instances in qualifying, greater than any alternative participant, additionally having essentially the most photographs (23), photographs on course (13) and best xG (5.2) of any Danish participant
Rasmus Hojlund might be enthusiastic greater than maximum to strive against supremacy spot off England nearest a instead detached first season within the Premier League as a part of a dysfunctional Manchester United facet.
The 21-year-old scored 10 league targets in 30 appearances following his £72m travel from Atalanta – 3 greater than he scored in qualifying for the Euros – and at global point, he has hardly ever let his nation ill.
His hat-trick in opposition to Finland in March made him the youngest (twenty years and 47 days) hat-trick scorer for Denmark in a Euro qualifier since a 19-year-old Michael Laudrup in 1983 in opposition to Luxembourg.
Talking forward of the game, supervisor Hjulmand stated on Hojlund: “I played with Rasmus’ father and have known and seen Rasmus since he was very young. I’ve watched many of his matches as a youth player and know where he comes from. His great quality is his personality.
“He’s a kind of younger gamers who seems to be round each unmarried date and thinks: ‘What can I be told? How can I enhance?’ He has such an distinguishable mindset that revolves round: ‘I wish to be higher.’ That’s what shapes Rasmus. He continuously needs to transform higher, and he needs to be informed that as neatly.
“He wants to be challenged, and thrives on getting better. When he didn’t make it to the World Cup, for example, which I thought was just too early, I went down to him in Bergen and showed him some clips regarding running and heading the ball in those situations.
“And later unexpectedly, one iciness date, I used to be informed that he used to be coaching dried. And later I noticed, for instance, that fit in opposition to Finland the place he scored 3 targets. He strikes extremely neatly and it’s no longer through prospect that Rasmus takes steps ahead as it’s his mindset, it’s his character.
“It’s about leveraging the things that are around him for the better. That personality can take him a long way. We’re already very pleased with him but there’s more to come.”
Who may emerge as a family identify?
Andreas Skov Olsen may emerge as a breakout big name
Denmark have produced greater than their fair proportion of goalscoring wingers having the ability to captivate lovers and the fresh is Skov Olsen, who is about to step out of the shade of gamers such because the Laudrup brothers.
Then breaking via at FC Nordsjaelland and spending 3 seasons with Bologna, the 24-year-old from Hilleroed has rediscovered his highest scoring method this while season at Membership Brugge in Belgium, with 26 targets in all competitions.
Skov Olsen’s breakout scoring season in Belgium comes at an roguish moment for Hjulmand’s facet and might neatly suggested a positional shake-up from the Denmark supervisor in Germany.
Up to now playmaker Eriksen in demand the area at the proper of midfield that Skov Olsen prefers however the extreme’s hour, alike keep watch over and deadly left foundation create him a abundance warning as he cuts in from the wing.
As an added bonus, Skov Olsen could also be greater than succesful together with his proper foundation as proven through some deft chipped finishes in his membership profession.
Denmark struggled badly to develop probabilities on the International Cup in Qatar however Skov Olsen helps fill the void
To in reality prosper in Germany, Skov Olsen will want to display that he is in a position to rating in opposition to high-level opposition – he netted handiest 3 times in 70 video games for Bologna and his utmost global purpose got here in September 2022 in opposition to France.
Like lots of Denmark’s supremacy gamers, calls for might be put on Skov Olsen’s wisdom and tactical flexibility as his facet search to navigate their means out of a hard staff.
If he remains unclouded of trauma, Skov Olsen might be the fresh in a protracted order of Danish attackers to excite the staff’s fanatical supporters.
Skov Olsen has had a breakout scoring season in Belgium
Through the way in which, stock an visual out additionally for containing midfielder Morten Hjulmand. There’s disagree relation with head teacher Kasper, should you had been questioning.
The 24-year-old arrives off the again of a stellar season with Carrying as a part of Ruben Amorim’s Portuguese league title-winning staff.
Hjulmand handiest made his Denmark debut in September, so is a little bit of a past due bloomer at the global level.
Complete Denmark squad
Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Anderlecht), Frederik Ronnow (Union Berlin), Mads Hermansen (Leicester Town).
Defenders: Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Simon Kjaer (AC Milan), Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace), Jannik Vestergaard (Leicester Town), Victor Nelsson (Galatasaray), Alexander Bah (Benfica), Joakim Maehle (Wolfsburg), Rasmus Kristensen (Roma), Victor Kristiansen (Bologna).
Midfielders: Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), Thomas Delaney (Anderlecht), Morten Hjulmand (Carrying Lisbon), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham), Christian Norgaard (Brentford), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford).
Forwards: Jacob Bruun Larsen (Burnley), Andreas Skov Olsen (Membership Brugge), Anders Dreyer (Anderlecht), Kasper Dolberg (Anderlecht), Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United), Jonas Breeze (Wolfsburg), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig).