It has been some time since Denmark last made a mark in a major international tournament. They were famously crowned kings of Europe in Euro 92 after coming in as late replacements for Yugoslavia but have not done much of consequence since.
But now, nearly 30 years on from that amazing triumph, the Danes have their sights on returning to glory at Euro 2020.
Despite their lack of world-class stars, it would be a dangerous mistake to underestimate the Danes, who have quite a decent squad of players at the prime of their careers and look capable of defying the Euro 2020 odds.
Read on below as SBOTOP breaks down all you need to know about this potential Euro 2020 dark horse.
Star Players
Denmark don’t exactly have anyone who can be described as a ‘world-class’ player, but they do have a number of high-calibre players led by Christian Eriksen. The 29-year-old has been his country’s primary creative and goalscoring force over the past few years (36 goals in 106 caps) and will be once again relied upon to provide many of the Danes’ Euro 2020 highlights.
Eriksen did not have a particularly great season at Inter; he fell out of favour early on and looked to be on his way out in January. But he eventually played his part in Inter’s Scudetto-winning campaign and also showed in flashes — most notably with his stunning free-kick winner against Milan in the cup — that he is still capable of coming up with a bit of magic.
Meanwhile, Denmark’s other key star is goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel. Even at age 34, Schmeichel of Leicester City is still one of the top goalkeepers in the Premier League. He is a vocal leader who will keep Denmark’s defence well-organised and can come up with a stunning save or two.
Denmark also have a trio of mid-20s stalwarts in Chelsea centre-back Andreas Christensen, Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and RB Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen, who will all be crucial in their Euro 2020 campaign.
All three have already earned 40 or more caps for their country by age 25, and while none of them are particularly flashy, they are hard-working and team-oriented players who will be significant contributors to the cause.
Manager
Kasper Hjulmand was not supposed to lead Denmark at Euro 2020. He had initially been lined up to replace Aage Hareide after the Euros. But then the pandemic hit and Hareide’s contract expired, so Hjulmand is now in charge and will get the chance to guide the Danes to European glory.
The 49-year-old gained a reputation as an up-and-coming manager at Danish club Nordsjælland, which he led to the Danish Superliga title in his very first season at the club in 2011-12. Hjulmand’s side played positive attacking football and also made use of modern pressing concepts.
German Bundesliga club Mainz took notice and hired him to replace Thomas Tuchel in May 2014. However, Hjulmand lasted only 24 games before getting sacked. He returned to Nordsjælland in January of 2016 and stayed on until March 2019 before getting the national team job.
Tactics
Hjulmand, who took over in July of last year, has not had much time to fully impart his philosophy onto the squad. But in the limited time he’s had in charge, he has installed a solid 4-2-3-1 formation.
The double pivot of Hojbjerg and Thomas Delaney in midfield provides a ample protection for the backline, which has Christensen and captain Simon Kjaer as the centre-back partnership.
Meanwhile, Eriksen is given the freedom to be the primary playmaker in his preferred No. 10 position with Poulsen and Barcelona’s Martin Braithwaite working as wide forwards and young Jonas Wind the somewhat surprising first-choice No. 9.
Form and Euros History
Hjulmand’s tactical approach has produced some impressive results early in his reign. The Danes have won eight of his 11 games in charge, with their only two defeats coming against world no. 1 Belgium during the Nations League.
The Danes have looked quite solid with eight clean sheets, including one in their 1-0 win over England at Wembley in October. They are also off to an incredible start in their World Cup qualifying group, winning their first three matches by an aggregate score of 14-0.
That promising form bodes well for Denmark ahead of Euro 2020. Since their shock win in 1992, the Danes have only made it to the quarter-finals of the Euros once (2004). They did not even qualify for the finals in 2008 and 2016.
Denmark have once again been grouped with Belgium in Group B. But they will be at home for all three of their group matches and should like their chances of beating out Russia and Finland for the second knockout phase spot.
●●●
CHECK OUT OUR BLOG FOR MORE FOOTBALL STORIES & ODDS
Stay updated with everything sports and betting.
Follow us on social Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
