Defiant Danes won’t fear anyone yone they encountere

DENMARK became everyone’s second nation for the extraordinary wayw in which they pulled toggether after Christian Erikssen’s cardiac arrest at Euro 22020, and it was testament to thheir camaraderie that they were then able to go on and reach tthe semi-finals.

Having lost ttheir opening two group gammes to Finland and Belgium, tthe Danes progressed thaanks to a 4-1 rout of Russia before dumping out WalesW and Czech Republiic on their way to the lastt four.

Kasper Hjulmmand’s side also silencced Wembley for a short period of time in the semi-final when MMikkel Damsgaard’s free-kicck gave them the lead against t England before the Three LLions won in extra-time.

How wever, it was a reminder that the e Danes are a rising force onn the international stage and the ey qualified for Qatar having taken 27 points from a possibl le 30 from their group.

Denm mark won four of their six Nati ions League matches this yea ar, too, losing twice to top dog gs Croatia, but recording home-and-aaway successes over Frrance and Austria.

Fran ce are the opposition again, jjust as they were in the group sstage four years ago, but Denma ark have bolstered quality y since then and will feel they caan exact some revenge.

Denmark’s togetherness and organisation are key to their success but there is serious talent at their disposal too, with Eriksen, having settled in so effortlessly at Manchester United, the creative cog.

Simon Kjaer, Andreas Christensen and Joachim Anderson give the Danes sound footings and they like to utilise their wing-backs in forward areas with Joakim Maehle a particular threat.

Defensive-minded midfielders Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg and Thomas Delaney offer Eriksen freedom to express himself and they have shown against Les Bleus that they can go toe to toe with the world champions.