fifaworldcup.com
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Denmark’s dark horse destiny
When Denmark line up to face England Saturday, they will again assume the role of David against the Goliath that invented the game of football – England. But in the last 10 years, Denmark have posted results in major competitions comparable with England, if not better.
The Danes claimed the only title won by either side in the past decade at the UEFA European Championship 1992, when they surprised everyone. England came close on home soil in 1996, but were eventually eliminated on penalty kicks by eventual champions Germany. Each team was also sent home after the first round twice in the three tournaments since 1992.
Going back six more years to the 1986 FIFA World Cup™, each country has reached the quarter-finals once and the round of 16 once. However, England gain an edge having been to the semi-finals at Italy 90 as Denmark stayed home.
Both teams enter the second stage with a bit of history on their side. Whenever France and Denmark have faced each other in the first round of a major competition since 1984, the winner has always gone on to win the tournament. France won the last FIFA World Cup as well as European Championships in 1984 and 2000 after defeating Denmark, while the Danes topped France in the European Championship 1992 then went on to claim the title.
With France making an early exit, England can look back to the last time the holders were left out of the second round. Champions at Chile 62, Brazil managed only a victory over Bulgaria in the first round four years later. England became the 1966 FIFA World Cup champions. That year also marked the last time England defeated Argentina.
By winning Group A and holding a desperate French side scoreless in their final match, Denmark have certainly done their part to gain the tag of favourites. But given the results of this tournament’s first round, they may be content to remain underdogs against England.
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Denmark’s dark horse destiny
When Denmark line up to face England Saturday, they will again assume the role of David against the Goliath that invented the game of football – England. But in the last 10 years, Denmark have posted results in major competitions comparable with England, if not better.
The Danes claimed the only title won by either side in the past decade at the UEFA European Championship 1992, when they surprised everyone. England came close on home soil in 1996, but were eventually eliminated on penalty kicks by eventual champions Germany. Each team was also sent home after the first round twice in the three tournaments since 1992.
Going back six more years to the 1986 FIFA World Cup™, each country has reached the quarter-finals once and the round of 16 once. However, England gain an edge having been to the semi-finals at Italy 90 as Denmark stayed home.
Both teams enter the second stage with a bit of history on their side. Whenever France and Denmark have faced each other in the first round of a major competition since 1984, the winner has always gone on to win the tournament. France won the last FIFA World Cup as well as European Championships in 1984 and 2000 after defeating Denmark, while the Danes topped France in the European Championship 1992 then went on to claim the title.
With France making an early exit, England can look back to the last time the holders were left out of the second round. Champions at Chile 62, Brazil managed only a victory over Bulgaria in the first round four years later. England became the 1966 FIFA World Cup champions. That year also marked the last time England defeated Argentina.
By winning Group A and holding a desperate French side scoreless in their final match, Denmark have certainly done their part to gain the tag of favourites. But given the results of this tournament’s first round, they may be content to remain underdogs against England.