Denmark: Eriksen headlining, all about the Danish Dynamite at the 2022 World Cup

Accustomed to the final stages, Denmark once again crosses paths with the France team at the World Cup, as four years ago, when it climbed out of the pools.

This year again, it should be the union minimum expected for this talented and more ambitious selection offensively than in the past.

The story

This is the fourth time Denmark will meet France in the World Cup group stage, after 1998, 2002 and 2018 (one win, one loss and one draw on each side).

Denmark team form

Once renowned for its rigor behind, Denmark has changed its face since the takeover of Kasper Hjulmand, who led it to the semi-finals of the last Euro.

Led by Christian Eriksen (Manchester United), able to send deep Andreas Skov Olsen (Bruges) or Kasper Dolberg (Sevilla), they flew over their qualifying group, with nine wins in ten games and 30 goals scored.

Against France in September, they confirmed their good form, with a victory (2-0) thanks to a very good match from their goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel (Nice).

Their defensive leader, Simon Kjaer (AC Milan), back for the World Cup, was however missing…

The list of 26 Danish players selected

Manager Hjulmand has extended his list to 26 players, having retained 21. Leipzig striker Yussuf Poulsen is one of the five additions, as is active Brentford midfielder Christian Norgaard.

Between Simon Kjaer, Joachim Andersen, Martin Braithwaite and Kasper Dolberg, several former Ligue 1 players should have a role to play in this coherent collective.

• Goalkeepers:

  Kasper Schmeichel (Nice, FRA), Oliver Christensen (Hertha Berlin, GER) and Frederik Ronnow (Union Berlin, GER)

• Defenders:

  Daniel Wass (Brøndby), Rasmus Nissen Kristensen (Leeds United, ENG), Jens Stryger Larsen (Trabzonspor, TUR), Joakim Maehle (Atalanta Bergamo, ITA), Andreas Christensen (FC Barcelona, ​​ESP), Simon Kjaer (AC Milan , ITA), Joachim Andersen (Crystal Palace, ENG) Victor Nelsson (Galatasaray, TUR), and Alexander Bah (Benfica Lisbon, POR)

• Midfielders:

  Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (Tottenham, ENG), Thomas Delaney (Sevilla FC, ESP), Christian Eriksen (Manchester United, ENG), Mathias Jensen (Brentford, ENG), Robert Skov (TSG Hoffenheim, GER) and Christian Norgaard ( Brentford, ENG)

• Attackers:

  Mikkel Damsgaard (Brentford, ENG), Andreas Skov Olsen (Club Brugge, BEL), Jesper Lindstrom (Eintracht Frankfurt, DE), Martin Braithwaite (Espanyol Barcelona, ​​ESP), Kasper Dolberg (Sevilla FC, ESP), Jonas Wind ( Wolfsburg, GER), Andreas Cornelius (FC Copenhagen) and Yussuf Poulsen (RB Leipzig, GER)

The probable composition

Denmark World Cup

In recent times, Denmark have fluctuated between a four and three-man defense, but with the same base, consisting of Simon Kjaer, Andreas Christensen and Joachim Andersen.

Up front, Eriksen and Skov Olsen will be the main attacking assets, as Dolberg and Martin Braithwaite compete.

Player to watch: Christian Eriksen

Christian Eriksen (right) in training at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis (Seine-Saint-Denis), before the match between his national team and the Blues on June 2, 2022. AFP or licensors

On June 12, 2021, Christian Eriksen collapsed in the middle of the Euro match, victim of a cardiac arrest.

Nine months and an automatic defibrillator implantation later, he made his return to selection.

Eighteen months later, he will be the offensive and creative leader of Denmark for this World Cup.

Arrived at Manchester United this summer, he has greatly contributed to the recovery of the club.

Able to evolve in all positions in the midfield, he seems to be in the shape of his life.

Denmark match schedule