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[ 2024 European Cup Denmark ] Can Denmark Once Again Become the Dark Horse?

Denmark is a traditional powerhouse in European football, known for its remarkable performances in the UEFA European Championship. In 1992, they stunned the football world by clinching the championship as replacement entrants, creating a fairy-tale story in Danish football history. Their success continued in the 1995 UEFA Intertoto Cup, where they triumphed as reigning European champions.

In the previous European Championship, Denmark showcased its resilience by securing a spot in the quarter-finals after finishing second in the group stage. They defeated Wales and the Czech Republic in the knockout rounds but narrowly lost to England in the semi-finals.

During the Euro 2024 qualifiers, Denmark had favorable fixtures in Group H, facing teams like Slovenia, Finland, Kazakhstan, Northern Ireland, and San Marino. They finished on top with 22 points, edging out Slovenia with better head-to-head results to advance to the final tournament.

Despite some new emerging talents like Hojbjerg, Denmark's core remains with familiar names such as Eriksen, Hojbjerg, Kjaer, and Schmeichel. However, Eriksen's form has declined since his cardiac arrest incident, and Kjaer has faced fitness issues. The veteran goalkeeper, Schmeichel, continues to be a reliable presence at 37 years old.

In Euro 2024, Denmark finds itself in Group C alongside strong contenders like England, Slovenia, and Serbia. While their roster may not boast the strongest lineup on paper, Denmark aims to secure a spot in the knockout stage as a realistic goal.

Since August 1, 2020, the 52-year-old Julemann has been coaching the Danish team, leading them to the semi-finals of the previous European Championship. With his extensive knowledge of Danish players from domestic leagues, Julemann ensures unity within the squad.

Undoubtedly, Denmark's overall strength has declined, especially with an aging core. The defensive line is led by the 35-year-old Kjaer, but his fitness remains a concern. Young talents like Hojbjerg and Yurman are expected to contribute, but they lack experience in high-intensity matches.

Upfront, the spotlight shines on 21-year-old Højlund, who has shown promise despite inconsistent performances at Manchester United. Poulsen, at 29, provides valuable support as a forward, but he often serves as a substitute at RB Leipzig.

Although talents like Dolberg and Damsgaard showed promise four years ago, they haven't progressed as expected, with Damsgaard missing a crucial opportunity to join a top club.

In Group C, Denmark faces tough opponents like England, Slovenia, and Serbia. While they may not match England's strength, they have a fair chance against the other two teams, aiming to advance from the group stage. If Denmark finishes second in Group C, they could face the winner of Group A in the Round of 16, potentially Germany, the host nation. If they finish third, they could face the winners of Group E or F, such as Belgium or Portugal, both formidable opponents.

Football standings
R Team
P Pts
1 Liverpool
24 57
2 Arsenal
24 50
3 Forest
24 47
4 Chelsea
24 43
5 Man City
24 41
6 Newcastle
24 41
7 Bournemouth
24 40
8 Aston Villa
24 37
9 Fulham
24 36
10 Brighton
24 34
11 Brentford
24 31
12 Crystal Palace
24 30
13 Man Utd
24 29
14 Tottenham
24 27
15 Everton
24 27
16 West Ham
24 27
17 Wolves
24 19
18 Leicester
24 17
19 Ipswich
24 16
20 Southampton
24 9
NBA standings
Western
Eastern
R Team
W L
1 Oklahoma City Thunder
44 9
2 Memphis Grizzlies
36 17
3 Denver Nuggets
35 19
4 Houston Rockets
34 20
5 Los Angeles Lakers
32 19
6 Los Angeles Clippers
29 23
7 Minnesota Timberwolves
30 25
8 Sacramento Kings
28 26
9 Dallas Mavericks
28 26
10 Golden State Warriors
27 26
11 Phoenix Suns
26 28
12 San Antonio Spurs
23 29
13 Portland Trail Blazers
23 31
14 Utah Jazz
12 40
15 New Orleans Pelicans
12 42