A look into Denmark’s prospects heading into Euro 2024 which kicks off in Germany this Friday 14th June! Having fallen off from their semi-final run in the tournaments’ previous campaign in 2021, with several disappointing performances in Qatar 2022 which saw them exit bottom of their group, how far can they make it this time around?
As the tournament kicks off in Germany this summer, Denmark will come up against Slovenia, England and Serbia in Group C. Looking to replicate a performance which last time out saw them advance to the semi-finals of the tournament, and still chasing the high of winning the 1992 edition of the tournament, they are on the road to turn around what was a regrettable performance out in Qatar.
Exiting the group stage, finishing bottom with one point and one goal scored the Danes endured a shock, disappointing turn in the wrong direction, with performances of such poor quality, having taken England to extra-time in the semi-finals of Euro 2021, the prior major tournament.
Despite the catastrophic incident which overshadowed the entirety of the Euro 2021 campaign, as Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest on pitch against Finland in front of a home crowd in Copenhagen, in Denmark’s opening game of the campaign, the overwhelming response worldwide flooded with love and support rippled into Danish football as a whole and created a ‘buzz’ around the opportunity and gave the side a drive to push for success. Europe’s eyes were on the team, given the circumstances, with many nations sending good fortune to De Rod-Hvide in hopes that they would do well; they welcomed the extra eyes and accompanying pressure, and although not making the final step, played a tournament to be proud of.
This year however the energy has shifted, off the back of their inadequacy in Qatar, the nation were inevitably disheartened with the national team. A qualifying campaign which revealed itself to be much more challenging than first expected has led to the build up to and feeling around this summer’s tournament feeling flat. Are the Danes able to get their nation back behind them and re-ignite this buzz is the question now.
Denmark qualified winners of Group H, which on paper appears a favourable position to have been in, however recurring problems observable in Qatar remain within the side. Throughout the qualifying phase, the side displayed football which was nothing more than mediocre, with substandard results; after leading 2-0 against Kazakhstan until the 73rd minute, the game ended in a 3-2 defeat, additionally they narrowly avoided dropping points to Northern Ireland, after their opponents’ equaliser was ruled out by VAR.
Additionally, with a 1-1 draw against Slovenia and a 2-1 win over San Marino which was done ever so scarcely, it is understandable why feelings are flat, with the nation not filled with the greatest of hopes off the back of this.
In the most recent international window however, things are on the up with a 2-1 victory against Finland and a 3-1 victory against Norway, in these pre-tournament friendlies. With a range of players on the score sheet and a more self-assured team performances undoubtedly filling the side with more confidence, the fans have been given some reassurance in the process, ahead of the tournament which begins on Friday.
With the uninspiring qualification period, there have been concerns regarding a lack of evolution within the side and questions asked as to whether manager Hjulmand is maximising the potential of the side with a lack of rotation in the squad by opting for older members, despite minimal appearances for club sides, at the expense of younger players’ opportunity. Only 2 of the 26 man squad are under-21, compared with 8 of whom are over 30, the question is asked of just how much can be accomplished with an ageing squad.
The notable players to look out for this campaign, who have been key to De Rod-Hvide, include Rasmus Hojlund, who has become the go-to man for goals for this team. Scoring 7 goals in qualifying, he played a massive part in the side even making it to the tournament and has been pivotal for Manchester United this season, with 16 goals and many important contributions.
However there are concerns that there is too much reliance on him in attack, with Denmark likely to struggle against teams who are able to contain the young Manchester United forward. Hojlund could be supported by Andreas Skov Olsen, one of Denmark’s younger prospects. The 24 year old winger, who can also operate as a number 10, has seen the best season of his career thus far with 34 goal contributions for Belgium’s Club Brugge, with 26 goals in all competitions and double figures in league goals. His optimistic play will no doubt help get Denmark off on the front foot, if Hjulmand opts for the young talent.
Christian Eriksen was named in the finalised squad, despite being absent for a period of the qualifiers; although the midfielder has spent the majority of his season coming off of the substitutes bench at Manchester United he will be looking to turn around his harrowing memories of this tournament and make an impact for the Danes with his visionary style of play.
Eriksen will form part of the midfield alongside Morten Hjulmand, Pierre-Emile Hojberg, who despite making less appearances for Tottenham Hotspur under Ange Postecoglou remains fierce and focused, and Mathias Jensen.
Defensively, Simon Kjær and Andreas Christensen remain centre-back duo of choice, with the unquestionable Kasper Schmeichel behind them guarding the net. Victor Kristiansen is the one to watch at the back however, a full-back unafraid to advance forward, yet settled in defensively, is one to bring energy to the side in his first international tournament.
The realistic expectations for Denmark would be for them to advance out of the group, with it likely to be close between themselves and Slovenia who held them to a 1-1 draw at home in qualifying, but the Danes closely beat them 2-1 in the reverse fixture. The top 2 teams from each group automatically qualify for the round of 16, with the 4 best 3rd placed teams qualifying after that. If Denmark advance, it is looking unlikely on paper for them to advance far, with their qualifying slump - however anything can happen in tournament football! Their first game kicks off on Sunday 16th June against Slovenia.
Denmark's Euro 2024 squad
Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Anderlecht), Frederik Ronnow (Union Berlin), Mads Hermansen (Leicester City).
Defenders: Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Simon Kjaer (AC Milan), Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace), Jannik Vestergaard (Leicester City), Alexander Bah (Benfica), Joakim Maehle (Wolfsburg), Rasmus Kristensen (Roma, on loan from Leeds United), Victor Kristiansen (Bologna, on loan from Leicester City), Mathias Jorgensen (Brentford).
Midfielders: Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), Thomas Delaney (Anderlecht, on loan from Sevilla), Morten Hjulmand (Sporting Lisbon), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur), Christian Norgaard (Brentford), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford).
Forwards: Jacob Bruun Larsen (Burnley, on loan from Hoffenheim), Andreas Skov Olsen (Club Bruges), Anders Dreyer (Anderlecht), Kasper Dolberg (Anderlecht), Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United), Jonas Wind (Wolfsburg), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig).
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