Team guide: Denmark
Friday, October 24, 2014
Article summary
Jess Thorup's Denmark were the leading scorers in qualifying, registering 37 goals in ten matches, but found Iceland a tough nut to crack in the play-offs.
Article top media content
Article body
Hosts in 2011, Denmark steamrollered their way through qualifying round Group 2 before meeting obdurate opposition in the play-offs.
Jess Thorup's team accrued 26 points out of a possible 30, scoring 37 goals along the way – six more than any other side. With the Danes having averaged almost four goals a game in a section also containing Russia, Bulgaria, Estonia and Andorra, it was surprising they took until the 180th minute of the play-off tie against Iceland to make the breakthrough. Though their well-organised opponents quickly equalised from the spot, it was too little, too late – Denmark had qualified on away goals.
Coach: Jess Thorup
Born 21/02/1970
The former striker – who played in Germany, Austria and Norway – took charge in June 2013, a month after overseeing Esbjerg's victory against Randers FC in the Danish Cup final, their first trophy since 1979. He was named Denmark's coach of the year as a result.
Tournament record
2013: did not qualify
2011: group stage
2009: did not qualify
2007: did not qualify
2006: group stage
2004: did not qualify
2002: did not qualify
2000: did not qualify
1998: did not qualify
1996: did not qualify
1994: did not qualify
1992: semi-finals
1990: did not qualify
1988: did not qualify
1986: quarter-finals
1984: did not qualify
1982: did not qualify
1980: did not qualify
1978:quarter-finals
2015 qualifying (including play-offs)
P12 W8 D4 L0 F38 A10
Top scorer: Lasse Christensen (5)
Ever presents: none
Denmark U21s capped at senior level
Pierre Højbjerg (7), Viktor Fischer (7), Yussuf Poulsen (5), Jannik Vestergaard (3), Uffe Bech (3), Jonas Knudsen (2), Andreas Christensen (2), Riza Durmisi (1), Nicolaj Thomsen (1), Rasmus Falk (1)
Players with previous U21 final tournament experience
None
Most capped player
All-time: 39 Jonas Kamper
Current: 28 Jannik Vestergaard
Leading scorer
All-time: 16 Peter Møller
Current: 7 Nicolai Brock-Madsen
Biggest wins
Final tournament
2-0: Denmark v Serbia, 23/06/15
Group stage, Letná Stadium, Prague
Qualifying
9-0: Denmark v Luxembourg, 11/10/02
Qualifying group stage, Farum Park, Farum
Heaviest defeats
Final tournament
1-4: Denmark v Sweden, 27/06/15
Semi-finals, Letná Stadium, Prague
Qualifying
6-0: Bulgaria v Denmark, 25/04/89
Qualifying group stage, Narodna Armija, Sofia
*Statistics last updated 28/06/15