Jonathan Wilson: Euro 2012 Preview: Denmark

[Jonathan Wilson]

No side has lost more finals games in the history of the European Championship than Denmark, but then no side -- not even Greece -- has ever won the tournament in more unlikely circumstances. Denmark hadn't even qualified for the Euros in 1992, but as war tore through Yugoslavia, it was called up a fortnight before the tournament as a replacement and went on to beat Germany in the final. A repeat is highly unlikely this time round, particularly given a dreadfully tough first-round group, but this is a young and talented Danish side that might just unsettle a few more fancied names. Morten Olsen has already been in charge for 12 years and has just signed a two-year extension, which says much for his belief in the potential of his side; in fact, he believes it has a greater chance to make an impression at the World Cup in 2014 than in Poland-Ukraine. It shouldn't go unnoticed, either, that, while Portugal is more fancied, Denmark beat the Portuguese 2-1 in its final qualifier to finish three points clear at the top of the group, sending Portugal into a playoff.

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