UEFA EURO 2020 – Denmark vs Finland Preview & Prediction
THE FACTS
When does Denmark vs Finland kick off? Saturday 12th June, 2021 – 17:00 (UK)
Where is Denmark vs Finland being played? Parken, Copenhagen
Where can I get tickets for Denmark vs Finland? Click here for the latest ticket information
What TV channel is Denmark vs Finland on in the UK? BBC
Where can I stream Denmark vs Finland in the UK? This match can be streamed live on the BBC iPlayer and the BBC Sport website
HEAD-TO-HEAD
All matches: Denmark 38 wins, Finland 11 wins, 10 draws
Last meeting: Denmark 2-1 Finland (15/11/11)
THE LOWDOWN
DENMARK
- Kasper Hjulmand’s appointment in 2020 has seen a real rise and improvement in an already decent Denmark side. The Danes had an impressive Nations League campaign in the Autumn of last year in which they took four points off England as well as being involved in a six-goal thriller against Belgium which decided the group winners. In 2021, they have played three won three in World Cup qualifying, including an impressive 4-0 win against Austria before good Euro 2020 warm-up performances with a 1-1 draw against Germany and a victory over Bosnia-Herzegovina.
- The Euros has thrown up a couple of surprise winners in its history. Greece in 2004 and Denmark in 1992 being the two key examples but even Portugal in 2016 could be viewed as this. The potential of a 2021 shock isn’t unrealistic and Denmark’s route in the ‘good side of the draw’, as well as their genuinely good performances and personnel, gives them as good a chance as any - especially as they will play three group stage matches at home.
- A squad that consists of several players playing at top European sides shouldn’t be underrated but given the general reputation of their footballing exploits, it has been. Players from Inter Milan and Barcelona make up their attacking intent whilst Tottenham and Dortmund are in midfield built on a spine of Chelsea and Milan. This is a serious team.
FINLAND
- It is widely accepted in Finland that Markku Kanerva got the Finland managerial job due to a lack of funding in the FA and there was some vague hope he could do what he did with the under-21’s - qualify for a major tournament. He did so. Their qualification, in a group with Bosnia-Herzegovina, Greece and Italy was unspectacular but still impressive for a nation without much of a footballing heritage.
- Recent results have gone awry for the Nordic country and their run-up to the tournament has been imperfect. A defeat to Estonia last weekend made it three successive defeats and they are now without a victory in their six matches. A northern European country reaching their first major tournaments does ring a few bells but this is unlikely to be an Iceland-like story.
- The key men in the side remain the Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper and vice-captain Lukas Hradecky as well as Norwich City’s star striker Teemu Pukki. Arguably the most talented player in their squad is Rangers’ Glen Kamara with his ability to retain possession but also break up the play well, he is likely to be vital in a group whereby his side will be such overwhelming underdogs.
THE TEAM NEWS
DENMARK
PREDICTED XI (4-3-3): Schmeichel; Maehle, Kjaer, Christensen, Wass; Eriksen, Hojbjerg, Delaney; Poulsen, Dolberg, Braithwaite
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
FINLAND
PREDICTED XI (3-5-2): Hradecky; O'Shaughnessy, Arajuuri, Toivio; Uronen, Kamara, Sparv, Lod, Raitala; Pukki, Pohjanpalo
UNAVAILABLE:
QUESTIONABLE:
THE PREDICTION
This is a match between one of the real potential surprise packages of the tournament and a side that will be pleased to avoid any hammerings in a tough group. Denmark, as the better team and the home team will expect to kick off what could be a very exciting month in a good and comfortable manner. Finland will be organised and could frustrate the Danes for spells in the match but a Denmark win is very likely in this one.
Tip: DENMARK TO WIN
For fixtures, results, TV schedule, top scorers and plenty more, visit our tournament home page here!
