Iceland continue to wobble with Denmark defeat

Denmark edged out fellow UEFA Women's EURO 2013 hopefuls Iceland 2-0 in their penultimate match before next month's finals.

A 1,011-strong crowd witnessed an evenly contested first half during which both teams exhibited attacking intent. Denmark forward Pernille Harder came close to breaking the deadlock after ten minutes, but Nadia Nadim made no mistake from close range shortly after the half-hour mark.

The home side doubled their lead in Viborg three minutes after half-time. Julie Rydahl Bukh headed in after a Harder effort had been parried, before the latter rattled the crossbar. With that reprieve, the visitors finished with a flourish but a reward was not forthcoming as they succumbed to their sixth defeat in seven outings in 2013.

"We looked a bit rusty for the first quarter but as the match progressed, we dominated," said Denmark coach Kenneth Heiner-Møller. "I was very happy with our movement and the fact we rotated the team while still maintaining our rhythm and pressure."

Heiner-Møller, who will step down after the finals, confirms Denmark's 23-strong squad tomorrow. His team then face Spain in Vejle next Friday before opening Group A against hosts Sweden in Gothenburg on 10 July. Iceland commence their Group B campaign against Norway in Kalmar the following day.

Iceland coach Siggi Eyjólfsson said: "It is always more fun to win games and of course we wanted that but we have always had trouble with the Danes but we just have to learn from this game and do better next time.

"We made the most of our preparation and it has been good, we chose to meet good teams like the USA, Sweden and Denmark.  Teams we almost never have beaten and we know this would be tough, that is what we wanted to see where we have improve. I expect to announce the final squad on Monday."