Sport
Denmark must be taken seriously in Euro 2020 semi-finals
As England turned on the style against Ukraine on Saturday, fans in the stands began to sing about going to Wembley. They will do just that in the semi-final on Wednesday and will hope to be back at the national stadium for Sunday’s Euro 2020 final but Denmark will have plenty to say about it.
England’s semi-final opponents should not be underestimated. Denmark made European Championship history last month, becoming the first team to advance to the knockout phase despite losing their first two games. Yet those two early defeats do not tell the full story. The 1-0 reverse against Finland came following Christian Eriksen’s on-field collapse and can thus be written off in terms of deeper analysis.
A few days later Denmark were unfortunate to lose 2-1 to Belgium. They battered the visitors to Copenhagen in the first half and were only undone after the break by a couple of moments of individual brilliance from Belgian’s world-class stars. Denmark deserved a draw at the very least.
Kasper Hjulmand’s Denmark side have arguably been the tournament’s most impressive performers in the last three rounds of Euro 2020 matches. First, they dismantled Russia 4-1 in their final group game to secure second spot. Wales were their next victims, as Gareth Bale and co. succumbed to a 4-0 defeat by Denmark in Amsterdam. On both occasions Hjulmand’s team overwhelmed their opponents with their energetic pressing and high-tempo attacking.
Their quarter-final tie with Czech Republic looked to be headed in a similar direction. Denmark stormed into a 2-0 lead in the opening period thanks to goals from Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg, the latter coming after the assist of the tournament so far from Joakim Maehle.
This was no procession, however. Czech Republic came on strong early in the second half, bringing on Michael Krmencik and playing long balls and crosses up to him and Patrik Schick. Denmark looked unsettled and the Czechs duly halved the deficit through Schick. The Danes settled soon after, though, and managed the rest of the game expertly to protect their lead. Had they been a touch more clinical on the counter-attack, they could have scored another goal or two.
Denmark are clearly the underdogs for Wednesday. They do not have as much individual quality in their ranks as England. Playing at Wembley hands Gareth Southgate’s side another advantage. England have not so much as conceded a goal at Euro 2020 and this is undoubtedly the stiffest test Denmark have faced yet – Belgium are a top team but a group game in Copenhagen is not comparable to a semi-final in London.
Yet the Danes are in the last four of Euro 2020 on merit. Talk of a squad galvanised by the Eriksen incident is only part of the story. Denmark have played with intelligence as much as emotion. Hjulmand has made some clever tactical tweaks along the way, not least when pushing Andreas Christensen into midfield to nullify Aaron Ramsey against Wales.
Denmark have the ability to cause England problems. Delaney and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg have been excellent in midfield, snapping into tackles and driving forward in possession. Martin Braithwaite is a much better footballer than his Barcelona critics make out. Dolberg has scored three goals in his last two games while also impressing with his touch and hold-up play. Mikkel Damsgaard provides invention drifting in from the left, while the all-action wing-back Maehle is an irrepressible force. A back three of Simon Kjaer, Jannik Vestergaard and Christensen provides a blend of useful qualities.
Denmark have recorded the fourth-highest average possession at Euro 2020. Only Italy and Spain have taken more shots per game. Their players may well feel especially motivated as they bid to do Eriksen proud, but there is much more to them than that. Denmark won their last visit to Wembley in October and have nothing to lose. England beware.
You could earn up to £100 (or currency equivalent) in bonus funds by joining Colossus with our New Player Bonus. Click here to join the action.
