Denmark team guide
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Article summary
A youthful Denmark squad surpassed coach Søren Randa-Boldt's expectations by reaching the finals for the first time in his four-year tenure, but he is confident they have a few more surprises in them.
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A youthful Danish side looked to have missed out on the finals when they went down 4-2 to dark horses Serbia, but victories over the Republic of Ireland and Switzerland took them through as best runners-up.
"Of course, we hoped and dreamed of qualifying, but it is something you can never expect of such young players," coach Søren Randa-Boldt told UEFA.com. Indeed, much of the squad will still be eligible in 12 months but, as Denmark prepare for only their fourth final tournament, there is a sense of more immediate optimism.
The outlook had been altogether bleaker after that Serbia defeat for Denmark, winners of the first edition of the UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship that preceded this competition. Yet an impressive 3-0 opening day win against Switzerland meant all was not lost, and after beating the Republic of Ireland they edged through by virtue of goals scored against the teams first and third in their section.
Route to finals
First qualifying round: 8-0 Greece, 9-0 Latvia, 1-0 Russia (Group 8 winners)
Second qualifying round: 3-0 Switzerland, 2-4 Serbia, 2-0 Republic of Ireland (Group 4 runners-up)
Top scorer: Camilla Andersen (10)
Key players
Stine Ballisager Pedersen (defender, Team Viborg), Julie Trustrup Jensen (midfielder, Brøndby IF), Karoline Smidt Nielsen (forward, Odense BK), Camilla Andersen (forward, Horsens SIK)
Coach: Søren Randa-Boldt
Date of Birth: 04/10/1971
Playing career: Vanløse IF (youth)
Coaching career: Vanløse IF (youth), Brøndby IF (youth, first-team assistant), Skovlunde IF, Denmark women's U19
Once a promising youth player, Randa-Boldt had to wait until embarking on his coaching career before really making an impression. He had spells with leading youth outfit Vanløse before switching to the women's game and Brøndby and Skovlunde.
He combined the role with a position as assistant to Henrik Lehm with the women's U19 side that reached the semi-finals in 2006, before taking the reins himself in summer 2008. Holder of a UEFA Pro licence, Randa-Boldt guided Denmark to the final tournament at the fourth attempt.
UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship best
Semi-finals: 2006
Honours in other UEFA women's competitions
UEFA European Women's Under-18 Championship
Winners: 1998