Denmark Euro 2022 team guide: Key players, route to final, tournament history & more
By Ali Rampling
Denmark head to Euro 2022 off the back of a stunning run to the final of Euro 2017 and a near-flawless record in qualifying.
The Danes find themselves in a tantalising group at the Euros alongside European powerhouses Spain and Germany and a Finland side who impressed during qualifying.
Here's everything you need to know about Denmark ahead of Euro 2022.
Denmark Women's Euro 2022 qualifying record
Denmark topped a tough qualifying group to reach this summer's Euros, finishing ahead of Italy after winning nine and drawing one of their 10 matches.
The Danes only dropped points in their final group fixture against Italy, and conceded just once - again, against the Italians during their 3-1 victory in October 2020.
Denmark were also the joint top scorers during qualifying alongside the Netherlands and Spain after netting 48 goals across their 10 fixtures. Nadia Nadim finished as their top scorer in qualifying with nine goals, while Pernille Harder was hot on her heels with eight.
Denmark Women's team tournament history
Denmark have been beaten semi finalists at the Euros on five occasions, and recorded their best ever tournament finish at Euro 2017, knocking out Germany en route to the final before losing to hosts Netherlands.
Euro 1984: Semi finals
Euro 1987: Did not qualify
Euro 1989: Did not qualify
Euro 1991: Third place
Euro 1993: Third place
Euro 1995: Did not qualify
Euro 1997: Group stage
Euro 2001: Semi finals
Euro 2005: Group stage
Euro 2009: Group stage
Euro 2013: Semi finals
Euro 2017: Runner up
Denmark have enjoyed less success on the global stage, not progressing past the World Cup group stages since 1995.
They have been absent from the past three World Cups - although their failure to qualify in 2019 was in part due to their decision to boycott a qualifier against Sweden in protest over pay and working conditions. Denmark have however already booked their place at the Australia and New Zealand 2023 World Cup.
Denmark Women's football team players - key players & ones to watch
Denmark's talisman is Pernille Harder. The forward became the world's most expensive player when she traded Wolfsburg for Chelsea in the summer of 2020, and is her country's all-time top scorer with 68 goals in 134 appearances.
Harder oozes class with her ability to drift into pockets of space, glide across the pitch and pick passes. She's no stranger to a stunning solo goal either; her halfway line surge and dinked finish against Manchester United during the 2021/22 WSL campaign demonstrated her supreme athleticism, while her weaving run and strike from the edge of the box against Everton the season before was a prime example of the technical ability she possesses.
Exciting young talent Kathrine Kuhl is a player to keep an eye on in the Denmark squad, having made her debut aged 17 following a string of impressive performances for Nordsjælland. The central midfielder will celebrate her 19th birthday the day before Euro 2022 kicks off, and should make her mark on the tournament with her vision and passing range.
Denmark Women's football team manager
Denmark have been managed by Lars Sondergaard since December 2017. The 63-year-old played professionally for Danish side Aalborg BK prior to beginning his coaching career in 1996.
Sondergaard has over a decade of experience managing in the Danish and Austrian top flight, but the Danish national team job is the first time he has worked in the women's game. He successfully guided the side through qualification for the 2023 World Cup - Denmark's first World Cup appearance in 16 years - and has encouraged a high intensity, high pressing style of football.
Did you know...
Alongside Italy, Denmark are the most successful side in Women's European Championship history to have never won the competition. Denmark have reached at least the semi-final stages on six occasions, without ever being crowned champions of Europe.
Women's Euro 2022 Denmark fixtures & route to the Euro 2022 final
Germany vs Denmark
Date & time: Friday 8 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Stadium MK
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)
Denmark vs Finland
Date & time: Tuesday 12 July, 17:00 (BST)
Venue: Stadium MK
How to watch on TV: BBC Two (UK)
Denmark vs Spain
Date & time: Saturday 16 July, 20:00 (BST)
Venue: Brentford Community Stadium
How to watch on TV: BBC iPlayer (UK)
Denmark are in Euro 2022's group of death. They will face a member of Group A in the quarter finals - likely Norway or England - depending on who tops their respective groups. If Denmark finish first in Group B and progress past the quarter finals, either the winner of Group D or the runner up from Group C will await in the semis - likely France, the Netherlands or Sweden.
Should Denmark finish second in Group B and progress past the quarter finals, the winner of Group C will likely be their semi-final opponent - presumably the Netherlands or Sweden.
Denmark Women's Euro 2022 squad
Goalkeepers: Katrine Svane (AGF), Laura Nielsen (Odense Q), Lene Christensen (Rosenborg).
Defenders: Simone Boye Sorensen (Arsenal), Katrine Veje (Rosengard), Luna Gevitz (Häcken), Rikke Sevecke (Everton), Sara Holmgaard (Turbine Potsdam), Sara Thrige (AC Milan), Stine Pedersen (Välerenga).
Midfielders: Sofie Svava (Real Madrid), Kathrine Kühl (Nordsjaelland), Janni Thomsen (Välerenga), Karen Holmgaard (Turbine Potsdam), Sanne Troelsgaard (Reading), Sofie Bredgaard (Rosengärd), Sofie Junge Pedersen (Juventus).
Forwards: Pernille Harder (Chelsea), Mille Gejl (Häcken), Nadia Nadim (Racing Louisville), Rikke Marie Madsen (Madrid CFF), Signe Bruun (Lyon), Stine Larsen (Häcken).
Predicted finish: Group stages
Denmark have the talent to go far at Euro 2022 - they've just been given an absolute nightmare of a draw. With Germany and Spain also in their group, progression to the quarter finals is a huge ask. But if any team is capable of surprising Europe's elite, it's Denmark.