Denmark’s preparations for the Euro 2024 Finals begin with a pre-tournament warmup game against Sweden on Wednesday evening in Copenhagen.
This is a storied encounter between the two Nordic nations. Yes, this will be their 108th meeting, so they both know each other well.
Although this will be the first clash in four years, Denmark haven’t tasted defeat against the Swedes since 2015.
With Sweden failing to qualify for Euro 2024, there is little riding on the outcome of this match apart from local pride.
Denmark, however, will be taking this seriously, and they will be looking to emulate their showing at the previous European Championships where they reached the semi-finals before they were knocked out by beaten finalists England.
But how will things pan out at the Parken Stadium? I have provided the lowdown with a full preview complete with a couple of tasty tips.
Denmark to edge out plucky visitors
For Sweden, they can play with the handbrake off as they won’t be gunning for continental glory this summer.
A shoddy Euro 2024 qualifying campaign means they will be watching events unfold from the sidelines.
So much so that this led to the departure of long-serving boss Janne Andersson, and ex-Blackburn Rovers coach Jon Dahl Tomasson, has now taken the charge, becoming the first non-Swede to assume the hotseat.
It is worth pointing out that Denmark are a formidable force when it comes to home friendly matches, and it has been seven years since they last conceded a goal in a home friendly, an impressive sequence of 11 clean sheets.
Such a statistics will make for dispiriting reading for Swede, and while Denmark may not extend that run, they should come out on top.
For my first pick, I’m going with Denmark to clinch victory & BTTS, and an inviting price of 13/5 has been stumped up by William Hill.
Denmark to take their time to get out of the blocks
While Denmark had few problems during the Euro 2024 qualifying campaign, losing just two of their 10 matches, they weren’t always the quickest coming out of blocks.
Of course, Kasper Hjulmand’s men will have a bone to pick with England, and they will be in the Group C melting pot with the Three Lions.
But a cursory glance shows that only one of the goals scored by the Danes in their past eight outings has arrived before the 10th minute.
While I couldn’t locate much in the way of goalscorer markets, the timing of the first goal can sometimes represent good value for money.
To go alongside my first pick, I’m leaning towards Denmark to net their first goal in the 40th-50th minute of the game which is available at an intriguing 13/2 with Ladbrokes should you wish to pursue it.
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