England v Denmark Euro 2020 Semi-Final

[outwoodclaret]

In days of yore (before 1066 and All That) the Danish King Cnut ruled over a great Empire that stretched across the three kingdoms of England, Denmark and Norway. On Wednesday two of those nations England and Denmark will meet at Wembley to decide who meets either Spain or Italy in the final of Euro 2020.

For Denmark an inauspicious start to the tournament against Finland was overshadowed by the onfield medical emergency precipitated by Christian Eriksen’s sudden collapse just before half-time. When the match eventually resumed Finland ran out 1-0 winners. Denmark lost their next match against group favourites Belgium but in a pulsating final qualifying match they defeated Russia 4-1 to take runners up spot in their group. In the last 16 they brushed aside Wales 4-0 before beating the Czech Republic 2-1 in a hard fought encounter. Are the Gods now smiling on the Danes? It evokes memories of Euro 1992. Back then at the very last minute Denmark replaced Yugoslavia as qualifiers and came through the group stages as runners up to Sweden finishing above both France and England. Reaching the final after beating Holland on penalties Denmark astonished the football world by beating Germany 2-0.

The Danish goalkeeper in 1992 was Peter Schmeichel. This time his son Kasper Schmeichel is in goal. Full back Joakim Mæhle has been one of the star performers in Euro 2020 along with forward Kasper Dolberg. England will also need to keep a close eye on midfielder Mikkel Damsgaard if they are to maintain their proud record of keeping clean sheets. The defence martialed by Maguire and Stones has been excellent and Pickford has dealt relatively comfortably with anything they have missed. Shaw and Walker will probably continue as the full back pairing. In midfield Southgate will deploy the defensive duo of Rice and Phillips with Mount and Sancho given freer roles to support Kane and Sterling.

I don’t expect Southgate to light up a Hamlet cigar if we win through to the final but there will be lots of smiles around Wembley stadium and probably a great deal of Carlsberg supped in beer gardens the length and breadth of the land. I have so far refrained from playing the Three Lions, World in Motion and Vindaloo but I won’t be able to hold out much longer if we get to the final. It’s almost time isn’t it for things to be coming home?

Come on England!

[sinkov]

I'm not in the least bit nervous about this game. Perhaps I should be ?

[Supersub6]

I'm not in the least bit nervous about this game. Perhaps I should be ?

No, it's only a game, nothing at all to worry about, que sera, sera

[sinkov]

No, it's only a game, nothing at all to worry about, que sera, sera

England in a semi-final Sub, normally I'd be fearing the worst, but I'm not in the least bit concerned, I'm quite relaxed about it, I think they'll cope with Denmark comfortably. It's not like me, I like to have a good moan and something to worry about.

[outwoodclaret]

England in a semi-final Sub, normally I'd be fearing the worst, but I'm not in the least bit concerned, I'm quite relaxed about it, I think they'll cope with Denmark comfortably. It's not like me, I like to have a good moan and something to worry about.

I’ll do the moaning and worrying for you sinkov. I think Denmark will play a very similar game to us and it could come down to the way the managers handle the game. In the other semi-final today Roberto Mancini and Luis Enrique both have impressive records of success as managers at club and national level. Neither Southgate nor Danish head coach Kasper Hjulmand have that track record of achievement behind them. A lot has been made of Southgate “getting all the big decisions right”. I would say the majority yes but by no means all. As Supersub would say que sera, sera but nevertheless I am anxious. If the Danes open the scoring can Southgate change the game? His previous semi-final in the World Cup of 2018 started so brightly but Croatia took control as England faded and Southgate seemed unable to change things around. Has he learned from that chastening defeat?

[The Bedlington Terrier]

I think this game may well be decided on which team deploys its bench best.

If Southgate gambles, we should win.

[army88]

I’ll do the moaning and worrying for you sinkov. I think Denmark will play a very similar game to us and it could come down to the way the managers handle the game. In the other semi-final today Roberto Mancini and Luis Enrique both have impressive records of success as managers at club and national level. Neither Southgate nor Danish head coach Kasper Hjulmand have that track record of achievement behind them. A lot has been made of Southgate “getting all the big decisions right”. I would say the majority yes but by no means all. As Supersub would say que sera, sera but nevertheless I am anxious. If the Danes open the scoring can Southgate change the game? His previous semi-final in the World Cup of 2018 started so brightly but Croatia took control as England faded and Southgate seemed unable to change things around. Has he learned from that chastening defeat?

I think outwood this could be the best game of the tournament, it could go either way but I have a sneaking suspicion like Sinkov we’ll win .

It’s brave to say it now but our name is on this , got a brilliant caption yesterday

Imagine leaving Europe and then us pooping back to win their Cup. Priceless

Personally for me I’d love it for Merkel to end her tenure running Germany ( and Europe let’s be honest ) with the trophy coming back to the Outcasts here in the UK.

Can’t think of a better end to proceedings - all the Euro Nil poi s of years exorcised in one go.

Come on England.

[kritichris]

As outwood says, they play a very similar game to us and we could stifle each other but I'm hoping we will be more creative after our last 2 victories and get revenge for that 1-0 defeat by the Danes. Let them drown their sorrows in Carlsberg as they tell the Little Mermaid they were robbed.

[Norder]

.

As outwood says, they play a very similar game to us and we could stifle each other....

must be related.

Danelaw.

[alfinyalcabo]

I think this game may well be decided on which team deploys its bench best.

If Southgate gambles, we should win.

I think this game will be won by the team that scores most goals.