A single last four successes in 1992 proved to be the precursor to Denmark’s biggest night.
Denmark will take part in a fourth EURO semi-final, against England at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday, as they offer to repeat their rather fabulous feat in 1992. We look back on their three previous last four bands.
The Danes’ first experience of the final was one they did not want to delay for too long. Poul Petersen’s underdogs, who had only reached the final by beating Luxembourg in a rematch, were set against the owners of Barcelona and were against it within 20 minutes thanks to Valery Voronin’s opener.
The elegant duo Viktor Ponedelnik and Valentin Ivanov struck at the end of either half as the star-studded Soviets developed. Denmark would have to wait 20 years for a new look in the tournament.
Denmark had plenty of players of their own when they returned to the final in France and showed their intention by overpowering Yugoslavia 5-0 and then coming from two down to stun Belgium and reach the last four. Søren Lerby gave them an early lead and Frank Arnesen hit the post in an impressive first half from Sepp Piontek’s side in the semifinals in Lyon. However, the tide turned when Antonio Maceda planned halfway through the second half and Denmark had to hold on to penalties after Klaus Berggren’s expulsion. Preben Elkjær’s miss from place turned out to be crucial in the shooting.
Denmark beat the Netherlands on penalty in 1992 / Simon Bruty / Getty Images
Encouraged by their victory against France to reach the last four, Denmark continued to drive the wave in this thriller in Gothenburg. Henrik Larsen nodded in Brian Laudrup’s exact cross and after Dennis Bergkamp had leveled, the midfielder grabbed his second with a run from the edge of the area.
The Netherlands rarely threatened a new answer until Frank Rijkaard estimated an equalizer four minutes from time. The Danes would not be denied, even if a shoot-out was required to sail the victory, with Peter Schmeichel the hero by saving Marco van Basten’s spot kick. Four days later, they would perhaps complete the most astonishing history of the EURO – the replacement of the late finals for Yugoslavia, who defeated Germany 2-0 to make history.
