Denmark hope to exploit home advantage

Denmark have not graced a UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals since 2006 and, as hosts, coach Keld Bordinggaard's side will have added motivation to impress upon their return.

Boasting a promising crop of young talent, they will be confident of leaving their mark too, particularly since Sweden reached the semi-finals on home soil in 2009 and the Netherlands won the competition as hosts two years before that.

Denmark have not contested a competitive fixture since October 2008, when they lost to Serbia in the play-offs for the 2009 finals, but Bordinggaard has used their long series of friendly internationals to bring on a group of players already knocking on the door of the senior side. Indeed, with Morten Olsen calling up the likes of goalkeeper Jonas Lössl and central defender Mathias Zanka Jørgensen, Bordinggaard has had to juggle his resources as he seeks a winning blend in time for next summer's finals.

This team may have been fed a diet of friendlies, but that should not suggest they lack a competitive edge, with more players than ever featuring in the Superliga and Jørgensen boasting UEFA Champions League experience with FC København. The 20-year-old centre-back is known for his physical and mental strength and is already deemed a veteran by his peers, having broken into the FCK side aged 16.

Behind Jørgensen, FC Midtjylland's 21-year-old Lössl is considered one of the Superliga's most consistent goalkeepers and was recently drafted into the senior squad as cover for the injured Thomas Sørensen. At 1.95m, he is an imposing presence at the back, while at the other end big things are expected of striker Nicki Bille Nielsen.

The 22-year-old recently earned a move to Villarreal CF from FC Nordsjælland, helped in part by a run of five goals in four U21 friendlies in May. Like the senior side, the U21s play in a 4-3-3 formation, with Nielsen as the central striker.