Denmark had not been invited to a semi-final of the European Championship since 1992. The Danish selection is repeating the feat this year and will try to win the semi-final of the Euro on Wednesday evening, against England at Wembley. If it owes its miraculous journey to its united collective, the Danish selection can also thank its young players who are part of the revelations of the competition.
This is the case of forwards Kasper Dolberg (23 years old) and Mikkel Damsgaard (21 years old), substitutes at the start of the tournament and who subsequently won after a combination of circumstances. Young Atalanta Bergamo defender Joakim Maehle stood out with his decisive cross from outside of the foot in the quarter-final against the Czech Republic (2-1 victory). So many young talents who can take this Danish team to the roof of Europe, like their elders in 1992.
Kasper Dolberg, the scorer’s cool
The center-forward of OGC Nice has scored goals in the chain since the start of the knockout phase: two against Wales (4-0) in the round of 16, one against the Czechs in the quarterfinals. Arrived as a replacement, he earned his stripes after the first round and the injury of Yussuf Poulsen, the usual number 9, to the delight of Kasper Hjulmand, Danish coach who can count on the aggressiveness and the vista of 23-year-old player.
In Baku, “IceBerg” first melted the Czech defense smoothly with a dribble back to goal (8th), shoulder strength before sending Martin Braithwaite in depth (34th). He also showed flawless defensive involvement with three interventions in quick succession (33rd) near his surface. Above all, he did not tremble when he received a delicious service from the outside of Joakim Maehle’s foot, shaking the nets of an impeccable recovery of the right full axis (42nd, 2-0). The third goal scored in two matches did not tear a smile from the tall blond born in Silkeborg, yet warmly congratulated by his partners. A classic that Nice supporters have come to know.
Mikkel Damsgaard, inspired by Eriksen
Propelled holder after the serious heart attack of Christian Eriksen, the young Mikkel Damsgaard is one of the Danish revelations of the Euro, with the ardor of his 21 years just celebrated and a virtuosity more of a Brazilian than a Viking. “Damsinho”, the nickname with Brazilian accents he has attracted, embodies the enthusiasm and determination of the Danes. “I could not have dreamed of a better birthday present. It’s crazy to go to Wembley”, underlined the winger of Sampdoria Genoa, quoted in the daily BT, after the qualification for the semi-finals. “He’s a great player,” said Hjulmand of himself. “The fact that he can get into this and do it on this stage (of the Euro) is fantastic,” the manager told the Danish press.
His superb opening of the scoring against Russia (4-1) – he is the youngest Danish scorer in history in a Euro – then his new big match against Wales (4-0) in the eighth did not stop to raise the odds of this fast winger with a slim silhouette (1.80 m, 70 kilos). Like Eriksen, Damsgaard (7 caps) can rely on a sure technique, precision in passing with both feet and a great vision of the game. “I was 100% inspired by him. Eriksen is one of the players that I saw the most play. I really admired him a lot, when I was little. At the time I always placed myself in number 10, like him “, entrusted the young prodigy to the Danish agency Ritzau.
Joakim Maehle, the defender focused on the attack
Denmark’s right-back occupies a very offensive position during this Euro. It’s not so surprising that Joakim Mæhle is one of Denmark’s top scorers, with two goals. Against Wales in the round of 16 (4-0), the defender scored the penultimate goal of his team (88th), before being the victim of a nasty fault from Harry Wilson, frustrated and excluded on the occasion (90th).
Above all, he sent a wonderful cross from the outside with his right foot to find Kasper Dolberg in the quarter-final against the Czech Republic (42nd, 2-0), the source of his team’s second goal (victory 2- 1). So many gestures which made the Atalanta Bergamo defender notice on the European football scene, and which make him an additional danger for England on Wednesday evening in the semi-finals.
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