A football nation reborn, Wales, versus a nation risen from the depths of despair, Denmark. A round of 16 clash that is a fight for a bigger cause. Wales look to build on their 2016 achievements with a number of players that the late great Gary Speed brought into the fray. Denmark have played all their fixtures at Copenhagen where the nation stood still in their 1-0 loss to Finland but have since been impeccable in their desire to win, and win for more than just a trophy. Let’s get right into this knockout fixture that possesses all the backstory and passion to create a game of football for the history books.
Euro 2020 Round of 16
Saturday 26 June
Johan Cruijff Arena
21:00
To Win (90 min)
Wales 39/10
Draw 9/4
Denmark 8/10
To Qualify
Wales 37/20
Denmark 7/20
Wales
The Welsh have progressed to the round of 16 via goal difference after holding Italy to just one goal, despite playing the entire second half with just 10 men. Before a narrow defeat against the Azzurri, Aaron Ramsey and Connor Roberts secured all three points with a comfortable win over Turkey and hard fought 1-1 share of the points came against Switzerland.
Robert Page has done an excellent job fulfilling duties with a last-minute appointment. Page has the hwyl, as the Welsh would say, but the quality of players on the field is definitely scraping the team by. After three group stage fixtures, we have seen three different starting formations from the ex-Sheffield United defender and the verdict is still out on whether Page has the know-how to take the win.
Once youngsters in the Gary Speed squad, which was the catalyst for change in Welsh football, are now the veterans carrying their nation. Juventus’ Aaron Ramsey and Gareth Bale are without a doubt the key men in the squad, alongside another Joe Allen.
The Dragons’ fans have only ever known their team to fail in spectacular fashion, and this year’s Euro 2020 is a lot more promising heading into the knockout stages than when they progressed to the semi-finals in 2016.
Denmark
Denmark are playing in a major tournament in their homeland for the first time, and it has not been without heartache and trials. The Danish bring you the most attacking football behind Spain and Germany, respectively, recording the most attempts at goal as well as the most dribbles completed in the group stages.
After going through a similar situation as assistant manager at FC Nordsjaelland, in which a player was struck by lightning, Kasper Hjulmand has been outstanding in rallying his entire team together through a difficult group stage. A challenging fixture for many reasons saw a defeat to Finland, followed by an astonishing performance against Belgium, and finally an emphatic win over Russia sees Hjulmand in the round of 16 after managing the nation for just 16 fixtures.
The team has really stepped up as a whole, and togetherness is one word to describe the overall performance thus far. From Kasper Schmeichel to Yussuf Yarary Poulsen, the Danes have really ground out two great showings. Tottenham’s Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg has been the outstanding performer, currently leading the assist charts with three to his name alongside Switzerland’s Steven Zuber.
The Danish Dynamite have been just that, explosive in the counter and destructive in the final third taking on anyone in their path.
Probable line-ups:
Wales (4-2-3-1): Danny Ward, Connor Roberts, Chris Mepham, Joe Rodon, Ben Davies, Joe Morrell, Joe Allen, Gareth Bale, Aaron Ramsey, Daniel James, Kieffer Moore.
Denmark (4-3-3): Kasper Schmeichel, Andreas Christensen, Simon Kjaer, Jannik Vestergaard, Joakim Maehle, Daniel Wass, Pierre-Emile Hojbjberg, Thomas Delaney, Martin Braithwaite, Yussuf Yurary Poulsen, Mikkel Damsgaard.
Prediction: Both Teams to Score – Yes (5/4)
Wales and Denmark often fancy themselves as the underdogs. Both teams hold promise and both teams hold quality in personnel and style of play showing little to no weakness in their play over three fixtures.
The Welsh outfit have looked good through set pieces but have also conceded via the same threat whilst the Danish have often created space for long range efforts.
I cannot see an outright winner in this fixture, but my both teams to score senses are tingling.
Written by Joshua Gaillard