MX23RW : Sunday, February 2 15:44:15| >> :600:6223354:6223354:

A closer look at England's Euro 2020 semi-final opponents Denmark

A closer look at England's Euro 2020 semi-final opponents Denmark
© Reuters
The Danes have bounced back from a traumatic incident with Christian Eriksen to take the tournament by storm.

Denmark stand in the way of England and a first major final since the 1966 World Cup.

The Danes made the semi-finals on a wave of emotion having seen midfield star Christian Eriksen collapse after suffering a cardiac arrest during their tournament opener against Finland in Copenhagen.

Here, the PA news agency puts the focus on Denmark ahead of their last-four clash at Wembley.

Form

Denmark handed Wales a heavy defeat
Denmark handed Wales a heavy defeat (PA)

Denmark came into Euro 2020 in outstanding form, losing only twice in 28 games. They then lost their first two games at the tournament – 1-0 to Finland in the game overshadowed by Eriksen's incident and 2-1 to Belgium despite an encouraging display. But since then the Danes have put four past Russia and Wales before a hard-fought 2-1 win over the Czech Republic in the quarter-final.

Coach

Denmark Russia Euro 2020 Soccer
Kasper Hjulmand had been set to take charge of Denmark after the original Euro 2020 tournament, before it was postponed (Stuart Franklin/AP)

Kasper Hjulmand was originally due to become Denmark manager after Euro 2020 with his predecessor Age Hareide's contract due to expire. But the 12-month postponement of the finals due to the coronavirus pandemic allowed him to be in charge. Hjulmand, 49, was forced to end his playing career at the age of 26 due to a knee injury. He began his coaching career at Lyngby and had two spells at Nordsjaelland either side of an unhappy nine-month spell at Mainz in Germany. Hjulmand has won 12, drawn two and lost four of his 18 games as Denmark coach.

Tactics

Joakim Maehle has impressed down the left
Joakim Maehle has impressed down the left (PA)

Denmark began the tournament in a 4-3-3 shape but the loss of playmaker Eriksen prompted a rethink and a switch to a three-man central defence. Skipper Simon Kjaer is flanked by Jannik Vestergaard and Andreas Christensen at the back, with central midfielders Thomas Delaney and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg protecting the defence and starting attacks. Left-wing back Joakim Maehle and the impressive Mikkel Damsgaard provide the creativity while Kasper Dolberg has scored three goals in two games since being handed the central striking role.

Key men

Denmark Russia Euro 2020 Soccer
Goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel hopes to emulate his father Peter and become a European Championship winner with Denmark (Stuart Franklin/AP)

Denmark won the 1992 European Championship with Peter Schmeichel in goal, and his son Kasper provides another formidable barrier three decades on. Central defender Kjaer, as he showed during the Eriksen incident, is an inspirational leader and the midfield pair of Delaney and Hojbjerg are two streetwise campaigners. In the absence of Eriksen, exciting Sampdoria winger Damsgaard is capable of sprinkling Danish stardust.

ID:453881: cacheID:453881:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:restore:8953:
Written by
P A
Restore Data
Share this article now:
England manager Gareth Southgate celebrates after the match on June 13, 2021
Read Next:
Euro 2020 day 23: Ukraine and England prepare for battle in Rome
>
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool23175156213556
2Arsenal23138244212347
3Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest24145540271347
4Manchester CityMan City23125647301741
5Newcastle UnitedNewcastle24125742291341
6Chelsea23117545301540
7Bournemouth24117641281340
8Aston Villa2410773437-337
9Fulham249963632436
10Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton2481063538-334
11Brentford2394104240231
12Manchester UnitedMan Utd2385102832-429
13Crystal Palace236982630-427
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham2376102844-1627
15Everton236892328-526
16Tottenham HotspurSpurs2373134637924
17Wolverhampton WanderersWolves2454153452-1819
18Leicester CityLeicester2445152553-2817
19Ipswich TownIpswich2437142249-2716
20Southampton2423191854-369


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!