This text is a part of the Guardian’s Euro 2025 Consultants’ Community, a cooperation between a number of the finest media organisations from the 16 international locations who certified. theguardian.com is operating previews from two groups every day within the run-up to the event kicking off on 2 July.
Overview
All the pieces was going advantageous for Denmark within the buildup. There weren’t too many damage worries or key gamers retiring. Outcomes had been respectable – till the final Nations League recreation in opposition to Sweden. With every part to play for, Denmark not solely misplaced the match that would have secured them a first-place end in League A for the primary time – they had been demolished 6-1 by the aspect they’re taking part in of their first recreation at Euro 2025. “I’ve been a part of this group for a few years however I feel that is the worst I’ve skilled,” the midfielder Sanne Troelsgaard informed Aftonbladet after the sport. “We have to take take a look at ourselves.”
That disappointment will solid a shadow over Denmark’s hopes, however there’s nonetheless optimism. Qualifying for the event was spectacular, together with getting near a well-known lead to Spain: Andrée Jeglertz’s aspect had been 2-0 up after 72 minutes in Tenerife, however in the end misplaced 3-2.
The Czech Republic and Belgium posed few issues and with an attacking, possession-based fashion, hopes of a silver-summer a la 2017 have been reignited. “Naturally, we dream of profitable medals, and we’ll give every part to create an unforgettable red-and-white summer season along with the Danish followers,” mentioned the captain and star striker Pernille More durable.
This would be the first, and solely, main event beneath the Swedish head coach Jeglertz, and he has just a few tactical puzzles to resolve. Firstly, Denmark received’t have performed one other match earlier than heading to Switzerland, which means that 6-1 defeat is the final outing earlier than they face Sweden once more. Secondly, query marks stay over the popular beginning XI – notably the right-sided place within the again three, in addition to the appropriate wing-back position, each nonetheless up for grabs.
The coach
Andrée Jeglertz has been answerable for Denmark since autumn 2023, when he changed Lars Søndergaard after the last-16 exit from the World Cup. His contract runs out in the summertime and he has made it clear he doesn’t need to lengthen it. A return to membership soccer beckons. Jakob Michelsen will take over after the event, inheriting a squad that Jeglertz has formed to compete with – and on their day beat – the most effective. Born in Malmö, Jeglertz managed a number of prime golf equipment in Sweden, together with main Umeå to a Champions League title in 2004. He additionally spent six years as head coach of Finland girls.
Star participant
Pernille More durable will go down as one of many biggest gamers in Danish soccer historical past. The all-time prime scorer is an icon and an inspiration for numerous ladies and boys throughout the nation. “She’s a legend and it’s an enormous honour to be allowed to play alongside her,” the goalkeeper Maja Bay Østergaard has mentioned. “She’s merely a world-class star.” Jeglertz agrees: “She’s not only a participant, however an ideal position mannequin … in every part she does,” he informed Daring.dk. More durable is an eight-time Danish participant of the 12 months, two-time Uefa Girls’s Participant of the Yr and twice a winner of The Guardian’s High 100.
One to observe
Sara Holmgaard has loved a standout season at Everton, voted girls’s participant of the season by her teammates. Scoring an Olimpico aim [direct from a corner] and organising others, she’s been a relentless menace down the left. After such a powerful marketing campaign it’s no shock that larger golf equipment have taken noticeand made her a goal this summer season. And it’s not simply at membership degree the place she’s made her mark – Holmgaard has additionally cemented herself as Denmark’s first-choice left wing-back, edging out Sofie Svava of Lyon.
after publication promotion
Possible lineup
Standing of home prime flight
The Danish league is on the rise. The key broadcaster TV 2 has acquired the rights from subsequent season, and a number of the greatest golf equipment within the males’s recreation, reminiscent of FC Copenhagen and FC Midtjylland, are slowly climbing up the divisions, serving to to draw larger crowds and extra sponsors. Regardless of this, nonetheless, Fortuna Hjørring remained the group to beat in 2024-25, proving unstoppable and profitable the double. Whereas it stays largely semi-professional, with many of the finest Danish gamers taking part in overseas, progress is being made. Brøndby, for instance, turned the primary membership to go totally skilled final winter.
Practical goal in Switzerland
Denmark have the standard to beat anybody, and their ambition is to advance from the group stage. However Sweden and Germany look stronger, and for that purpose, the group stage will almost certainly mark the tip of the street.
The Denmark group information was written by Sofie Engberg Munch for TV 2 Denmark.
