A phenomenal performance at Euro 2021, then a complete disappointment at the World Cup in Qatar - the last two major competitions showed the two faces of the Danish national team, which in the world of football has a reputation as the best mediocre team - ready to spoil the calculation with objectively better teams, but also to fail when it is intended role of favorite.
Before the Euro in the German team Kasper Hjulmand is given a real chance to reach the knockout stage and try to get closer to the success of three years ago when it reached the semi-finals where England was better after extra time.
Gordi Albion is now an opponent, in group C, where Slovenia and Serbia are also - the Danes see the round of 16, but they are far from being favorites for second place. Even though both Slovenes and Serbs would let it go without a problem.
- I am glad that we are meeting England again, even though it is one of the favorites for the title, a team that has powerful players in every position. As for Serbia, I think we are at a similar level, while Slovenia impressed me in the few matches I watched. It is a team that has a clear way of playing, with a top goalkeeper Jan Oblak, but also a high-class striker as he is Benjamin Seško. We got a tough group, but we believe in the quality we have and the first goal is to go through. I'm sure we can do it - said Hjulmand.
When it comes to the composition of Denmark, the media in that country mention that there could be significant changes when it comes to the choice of Hjulmand for the starting 11...
Although they have arrived in Germany, it is assumed that it is time to get off the big stage of the "senator" Kasper Schmeichel i Thomas Delaney (they spent last season in Anderlecht), now a former defender Milan Simon Kier, Pierre-Emile Heiberg who did not play in Tottenham, Barcelona's roving stopper is also a question mark Andreas Christensen.
Bad form is also a problem for Hojlund Christian Eriksen in Manchester United, so the role of the biggest star was "taken over" by the striker of the "red devils" Rasmus Hojlund. The young footballer arrived at "Old Trafford" from Atalanta this summer, at times during the season - in which he scored a total of 16 goals - he showed undeniable talent, and fans believe that he could "explode" precisely at the European Championship.
Denmark opens the Euro with a duel with Slovenia in Stuttgart (June 16), four days later in Frankfurt it is rival England, and in the last round - on June 25 - the Danes meet Serbia at the "Allianz Arena" in Munich.
The Danes were the champions of the Old Continent 32 years ago (after playing instead of Yugoslavia in that competition), and three years ago they reached the semi-finals after Kristian Eriksen collapsed in the first game at "Parken" in Copenhagen - in a loss to Finland .
The drama had a happy ending and seemed to unite the national team and the fans, so Denmark played in a trance after that. One victory was enough for her to pass the group (over Russia - 4:1), and then on the way to the semi-finals she was better than Wales (4:0) and the Czech Republic, before being stopped by England...
Denmark and the Euro
Performs so far: 8
Biggest Success: 1992 Champion
Last Euro: EP 2020, semi-finals
Most EP appearances: Simon Kjer (131)
Most goals in the European Championship: Paul Nielsen,
Jon Dal Thomason (52 each)
Captain: Simon Kier
First Star: Rasmus Hojlund
EC matches: Slovenia (June 16, Stuttgart), England (June 20, Frankfurt), Serbia (June 25, Munich)
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