Team Profile: Denmark
History in Euros:
Denmark made their mark in European football in 1992 in the most dramatic fashion. They failed to qualify for the tournament. However, were granted a place after civil war broke out in Yugoslavia. They took this slice of luck with both hands and went to lift the trophy to everyone’s surprise. Even in the tournament, they weren’t handed easy draws; they beat England, France, Netherlands and eventually Germany in the Final to lift the trophy. This was only the 5th time they had qualified for the tournament, albeit, in special circumstances. Four years after their famous victory, they were eliminated in group stages. Since then they have managed to qualify twice but narrowly missed out 4 years ago.
2012 Qualifying Round:
Extremely efficient at home, Denmark won all 4 of their games. Their only loss came on the road against Portugal. Denmark secured qualification and won the group on the last match day with a victory against Portugal. Placed in the Group of Death against Netherlands, Germany and Portugal (again), Danes are not expected to go far in the tournament.
Final Squad:
Goal Keepers:Stephan Andersen, Anders Lindegaard, Kasper Schmeichel
Defenders:Simon Kjær, Daniel Agger (c), Simon Poulsen, Lars Jacobsen, Andreas Bjelland, Jores Okore, Daniel Wass
Midfielders:Christian Poulsen, William Kvist, Christian Eriksen, Michael Krohn-Dehli, Lasse Schøne, Michael Silberbauer, Jakob Poulsen, Thomas Kahlenberg, Niki Zimling
Attackers:Dennis Rommedahl, Nicklas Bendtner, Nicklas Pedersen, Tobias Mikkelsen
Strengths:
Denmark is a very stable team; Morten Olsen has been in charge for 12 years. They have a relatively young side but a veteran striker, Rommedahl. A few of their players have been playing in tops clubs across Europe with representation from Arsenal, Manchester United, Liverpool and Ajax. Defensively disciplined and tactically sound, Danes would’ve been favored to cause an upset had they not been placed in the Group of Death.
Weaknesses:
This young Danish side lacks experience of playing together in a major tournament. They qualified for World Cup 2010 but were eliminated from group stages. They aren’t great going forward with a lot resting on old shoulders of Rommedahl. Placed in the toughest group, it would be difficult to see them causing an upset.
Key Player: Daniel Agger
Captain of the team and a solid defender; Agger would look to put behind his injury worries that affected his season at Liverpool. Denmark rely on a disciplined back four and scoring on the counter; so Agger’s role of keeping it tight at the back will be key. He also has a great left foot and has scored some beautiful long range goals for Liverpool.
Predicted Final Position: 4th in Group
Playing against Netherlands, Germany and Portugal, not many teams would progress to the next round. Denmark don’t possess enough quality in any department to progress against those 3. They open against Netherlands; it would be a major surprise if they come out of that game with anything. They play their final game against the Germans, which puts a lot of importance on their 2nd game against Portugal. I still fancy, the Dutch and Germans to progress through Group B.
Facts:
- Overall record at finals: Played 25, Won 7, Drawn 6, Lost 12.
- Best performance: Champions in 1992.
- Most appearances at finals: Peter Schmeichel (1988, 1992, 1996, 2000) – 13
- Most goals at finals: Frank Arnesen, Henrik Larsen, Brian Laudrup, Jon Dahl Tomasson – 3
Relates Articles
- Gunner go: Bendtner looking for ‘new challenge’ away from Arsenal (mirror.co.uk)
- Euro 2012: Thomas Sorensen out of Denmark squad with back injury (guardian.co.uk)
- Jonathan Wilson: Euro 2012 Preview: Denmark (sportsillustrated.cnn.com)
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