Denmark is gearing up for Euro 2024, aiming to replicate or even surpass their impressive semi-final run in the previous European Championship three years ago. However, as coach Kasper Hjulmand prepares his squad, some pressing questions linger about their readiness and potential in this summer’s tournament. This in-depth analysis delves into the Denmark Euro 2024 Squad, examining their manager, key players, strengths, weaknesses, and expectations.
The Managerial Mandate: Kasper Hjulmand Under Scrutiny
Kasper Hjulmand has been at the helm of the Danish national team for almost four years, guiding them to their first consecutive European Championship appearances since 2000 and 2004. While this achievement is notable, his current standing isn’t as robust as it was during the euphoria of Euro 2020 (played in 2021).
Denmark’s unexpected journey to the Euro 2020 semi-finals was undeniably shaped by the traumatic event of Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest in their opening match in Copenhagen. This incident fostered a powerful wave of national unity and support that propelled the team forward. It created a reservoir of goodwill that benefited Danish football broadly.
Kasper Hjulmand Denmark Euro 2024 Manager
Currently, while Hjulmand’s coaching acumen remains respected, there’s growing debate about whether he’s maximizing the potential of this generation of Danish players. Concerns are being raised about the balance between experience and youth within the squad. Are seasoned players receiving excessive playing time, potentially hindering the development of younger talents? Is Hjulmand showing too much loyalty to players who lack consistent club-level minutes?
The atmosphere isn’t overtly negative – no one is calling for Hjulmand’s immediate dismissal. However, their Euro 2024 qualification campaign was lackluster, marked by defeats to Kazakhstan and Northern Ireland, and an unconvincing victory against San Marino. This has amplified concerns about a lack of tactical evolution and squad rejuvenation.
The Missing Young Star: O’Riley’s Omission and the Generation Gap
The anticipated breakthrough of a young, dynamic player, particularly Celtic’s Matt O’Riley, hasn’t materialized, and his exclusion from the Denmark Euro 2024 squad has sparked considerable disappointment.
Alexander Sund-Nielsen, an analyst for Copenhagen-based Kvart i Bold, notes regarding O’Riley, “All we hear is how great he’s done at Celtic and there’s bewilderment why he hasn’t been called up more. He is a good example of someone everyone wants to see in the squad but hasn’t been regularly because of ‘the old gang’.” O’Riley, despite his impressive playmaking and goal-scoring abilities, didn’t make the final cut.
This absence underscores a broader issue: a limited number of young players in the squad. Only two members of the 26-man squad are 21 or younger. One of them is Rasmus Hojlund of Manchester United, already an established international player, hardly fitting the description of an emerging talent. Notably, no players from the domestic Superliga are included, making it less likely for a new star to emerge during the Euros.
Andreas Skov Olsen could be considered a player on the cusp of wider recognition. He’s coming off his most productive season, contributing 34 goals (26 goals in all competitions) for Club Bruges. At 24, he possesses the potential to captivate audiences during international tournaments with his optimistic, forward-driving style and impressive left-footed strikes.
Matt O'Riley Celtic Denmark Euro 2024 Squad Omission
Strengths: Experience and Cohesion in Core Areas
The continuity that Hjulmand is sometimes criticized for also presents a significant advantage: a squad brimming with players who are well-acquainted with each other, especially in defense and midfield. The inclusion of veterans Kasper Schmeichel and Simon Kjaer, despite recent injury concerns, adds substantial experience. Alongside established players like Joachim Andersen, Joakim Maehle, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, and Jannik Vestergaard, Denmark boasts a robust core. This defensive and midfield solidity will be crucial when facing group stage opponents Slovenia, England, and Serbia.
Weaknesses: Attacking Reliance and Player Fitness
Denmark’s attack may be overly dependent on Rasmus Hojlund, who scored seven goals in qualifying. While Hojlund improved his scoring form for Manchester United in the latter part of the season, placing the primary attacking burden on his shoulders at the international level might be premature.
Another concern is the reliance on players who haven’t enjoyed consistent playing time at their respective clubs. Christian Eriksen, also at Manchester United, is a prime example. Hojbjerg’s role at Tottenham was largely peripheral for much of last season, and while he gained more Premier League appearances towards the end, Mikkel Damsgaard has also faced disrupted seasons with Brentford.
Rasmus Hojlund Denmark Euro 2024
Local Knowledge: The “Vi skal ikke hjem, vi skal videre” Spirit
Danish football fans with longer memories will recall Joakim Maehle’s memorable tweet, “Vi skal ikke hjem, vi skal videre,” after Denmark’s dominant 4-1 victory over Russia in the Euro 2020 group stage. This phrase, amplified by a viral Danish commentary snippet during Andreas Christensen’s stunning goal in the same match, became an anthem of their campaign.
“Vi skal ikke hjem, vi skal videre” translates roughly to “We’re not going home, we’re going further!” It’s a famous line from the cult 1970s Danish film, The Olsen Gang In Jutland, a comedic adventure about a chaotic gold hunt in Germany after World War II. This phrase encapsulates a spirit of persistent optimism despite setbacks. Expect to hear it again this summer if Denmark performs well.
Expectations Back Home: Realistic Optimism
According to Sund-Nielsen, expectations among Danish fans are more tempered compared to the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where Denmark underperformed. Their less-than-convincing Euro 2024 qualification campaign has contributed to this cautious outlook. Exiting the group stage would be considered the minimum acceptable outcome, with few expecting more.
However, despite the moderate performance expectations, there’s considerable excitement for Euro 2024 itself. The tournament’s proximity in Germany, combined with a more relaxed atmosphere compared to the controversial Qatar World Cup, has generated enthusiasm. Concerns about boycotts have faded, replaced by a genuine eagerness to support the national team. The prevailing mood is positive, albeit with a dose of realism regarding their potential on the pitch.
Sund-Nielsen concludes, “Personally, I don’t see us as a force to be reckoned with this year. The team needs a new generation of energy and leadership and it will inevitably be something that has to happen after the Euros.”
Denmark’s Euro 2024 Squad List
Goalkeepers: Kasper Schmeichel (Anderlecht), Frederik Ronnow (Union Berlin), Mads Hermansen (Leicester City).
Defenders: Andreas Christensen (Barcelona), Simon Kjaer (AC Milan), Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace), Jannik Vestergaard (Leicester City), Alexander Bah (Benfica), Joakim Maehle (Wolfsburg), Rasmus Kristensen (Roma, on loan from Leeds United), Victor Kristiansen (Bologna, on loan from Leicester City), Mathias Jorgensen (Brentford).
Midfielders: Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), Thomas Delaney (Anderlecht, on loan from Sevilla), Morten Hjulmand (Sporting Lisbon), Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham Hotspur), Christian Norgaard (Brentford), Mathias Jensen (Brentford), Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford).
Forwards: Jacob Bruun Larsen (Burnley, on loan from Hoffenheim), Andreas Skov Olsen (Club Bruges), Anders Dreyer (Anderlecht), Kasper Dolberg (Anderlecht), Rasmus Hojlund (Manchester United), Jonas Wind (Wolfsburg), Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig).
