Denmark Aims to Reclaim Lost Pride in EURO Opener Against Neighbouring Sweden

Denmark aims to reclaim their pride when they face off against their Nordic rivals, Sweden, in Geneva. The last meeting between the two teams during the Women’s Nations League in June ended in a lopsided 6-1 victory for Peter Gerhardsson’s squad.

The teams have clashed on the opening day of both the 2005 and 2013 Women’s Euros, with both encounters finishing 1-1. However, following their recent heavy defeat, the Danes are keen to settle the score in Friday’s match.

Denmark’s Signe Bruun provided the assist for their solitary goal in that encounter, but it was one of the few highlights for the Danes, who found themselves three goals down within the first 11 minutes against their Scandinavian foes.

“It was an incredibly tough match. We were so disappointed; it really hurt. We had a moment to reflect, reassess some fundamental aspects, and now we’re moving forward from that one setback to make two steps ahead,” a determined Bruun, her nails painted in the national colours, remarked in an interview with Reuters at the Danish team hotel on Wednesday.

This marks Denmark’s eighth consecutive appearance at the Euros, with the three-time semi-finalists aiming to avoid a repeat of their lacklustre performance in the 2022 tournament.

The preparations for the tournament faced a setback when coach Andrée Jeglertz announced prior to the match against Sweden that he would not extend his contract with the Danish Football Association, expressing a desire to return to club management for a more hands-on coaching role. Jeglertz has since been appointed the new coach at Manchester City.

Many players are well-acquainted ahead of this fixture; Denmark’s Signe Bruun and Sweden’s Filippa Angeldahl are teammates at Real Madrid, while Denmark’s captain, Pernille Harder, is set to face her partner, Magdalena Eriksson, the captain of Sweden and her fellow Bayern player.

Sweden, who have triumphed in their last three encounters against Denmark, boast an impressive tournament history, having lifted the trophy in 1984 and reaching the semi-finals in 2022, where they were defeated 4-0 by England, who ultimately claimed the title.

Peter Gerhardsson’s team warmed up for the Euros with a 2-0 win over Norway. They remain unbeaten in their last 12 international matches, following a 2-1 loss to France in July 2024 (W8, D4).

This match could be pivotal in determining which teams progress alongside Germany to the knockout stages, as both sides are expected to triumph over tournament newcomers Poland, with Germany anticipated to top Group D.

Sweden may be without Fridolina Rolfo for the group stage, having sustained an injury in the recent encounter with Denmark. However, the team can find solace in the return of Stina Blackstenius, who netted the Champions League-winning goal for Arsenal against Barcelona in May.

Predicted Denmark starting line-up (3-4-3): Ostegaard; Obaze, Ballisager, Veje; Thomsen, Hasbo, Snerle, Holmgaard; Kramer, Harder, Bruun.

Predicted Sweden starting line-up (4-2-3-1): Falk; Holmberg, Bjorn, Eriksson, Andersson; Angeldal, Bennison; Rytting Kaneryd, Asllani, Janogy; Blackstenius.