Earlier World Cup appearances: 1986, 1998, 2002, 2010, 2018
Titles: 0
Finest end: Quarter-finals (1998)
World Cup document: W9 D5 L6
World Cup targets: 30
Greatest win: 6-1 vs Uruguay (1986)
Participant to observe: Christian Eriksen
Rating: 10
Group stage fixtures: Tunisia (November 22), France (November 26), Australia (November 30)
There’s a distinct air of optimism surrounding the Danish group heading to Qatar.
Final 12 months, it demonstrated exceptional tenacity in recovering from an opening-day defeat to Finland within the delayed 2020 European Championships, a sport marred by the on-field cardiac arrest suffered by their star participant, Christian Eriksen.
The identical group would attain the semi-finals, the place it will ultimately be knocked out by a controversial extra-time Harry Kane penalty.
This 12 months, the Danes have recorded spectacular leads to the Nations League, together with two wins over present world champions France. FIFA presently ranks them tenth on this planet.
‘Danish Dynamite’
For a rustic of fewer than six million individuals, Denmark’s males’s nationwide soccer group has punched above its weight.
The group, and the nation, introduced themselves on the world stage within the ’80s and ’90s, incomes the nickname “Danish Dynamite” and choosing up a bronze within the 1984 European Championships earlier than ultimately successful the event in 1992.
It was additionally throughout this era that a number of Danish gamers broke onto the worldwide scene, together with the Laudrup brothers, who between them gained 5 La Liga titles and two Seria A titles, in addition to Peter Schmeichel, extensively thought-about among the finest goalkeepers of all time.
Nevertheless, success on the European Championships didn’t translate to the World Cup. The Danes first certified for the event in 1984 however would solely make it previous the spherical of 16 as soon as in 1998 after they had been crushed by a star-studded Brazil group 3-2 in a scintillating quarter-final.
Mixture of expertise, new expertise
The present Danish squad boasts a wholesome steadiness of expertise and thrilling new expertise.
In purpose, they’ve the ever-reliable Kasper Schmeichel, who performs for Premier League aspect Leicester Metropolis and is the son of legend Peter.
At centre again, Denmark’s supervisor Kasper Hjulmand will seemingly choose the tried-and-tested duo of AC Milan’s Simon Kjaer and FC Barcelona’s Andreas Christensen. Joakim Mæhle, the Atalanta full-back who impressed in the course of the 2020 European Championships together with his trademark lung-bursting runs down the touchline and exact passing, can also be anticipated to make the beginning XI.
In defensive midfield, Denmark can name on their stalwart Thomas Delaney, who presently plies his commerce for Spanish aspect Sevilla. He shall be joined by Tottenham Hotspur’s Pierre-Emile Kordt Højbjerg and Manchester United’s Eriksen.
Upfront Hjulmand has repeatedly fielded Kasper Dolberg, a 25-year-old ahead presently on mortgage at Sevilla. Mikkel Damsgaard, who performs for Premier League aspect Brentford, will seemingly be deployed as a standard winger on the left aspect. Veteran striker Martin Braithwaite, who not too long ago moved from FC Barcelona to rivals Espanyol, can also be more likely to make an look.
Denmark ought to progress from Group D, which incorporates Australia, France and Tunisia.
They’ll draw confidence from current victories over France and can fancy themselves in opposition to Australia.
Tunisia might show formidable opposition relying on what group turns up on the day. The Eagles of Carthage have skilled an unpredictable type of late, reaching the 2021 Arab Cup Last however then crashing out of the African Cup of Nations quarter-finals to Burkina Faso a month later.
If Denmark progress as runners-up in Group D, they might face Argentina, one of many event’s favourites.
