England vs Denmark

Strange days, indeed. England into the 2nd round of the World Cup and expecting a difficult game against a Premiership reserve team from the land of the Norse Gods. Denmark were expected to give the lads a difficult game but maybe, just maybe, the overseers of footballing fete have decreed a divine passage for the boys from the sceptered isle? Having played out a perfunctory draw against Nigeria, the next game was at a kind KO time in the evening with conditions suiting both European antagonists. At one stage, we even had driving rain mimicking a wet Sunday afternoon on Hackney marshes albeit with considerably more humidity. The atmosphere before the ...  Read the complete review

15th June 2002. After 3 varied performances by England, it was with some trepidation that I braced myself for today's game against the Danes. After coming out of the group of death thanks to a stunning hold out against the Argentinians, a topsy turvy performance against the Swedes and a paint drying, stamp collecting bore draw against Nigeria, I feard the worst. Fact. England had not scored from Open play. Fact. Michael Owen was off form and not showing us what he can do. Fact. The Midfield was looking weak without the likes of Danny Murphy or Steven Gerrard. Against a strong Danish side who have not failed ...  Read the complete review

The heroics against Argentina (and rather dull draw with Nigeria) had led England into a second round match against Denmark, the side who beat defending champions France. We’d already equalled the progress of 1998 and were hopeful of going (at least) one stage further. This was never going to be an easy match though – Denmark not only winning their group, but boasting two impressive wingers, Rommedahl and Gronkjaer, who would test our full backs’ defensive abilities, and the free-scoring Jon Dahl Tomasson. As expected, the England team was unchanged – having come about due in part to injuries to Hargreaves and Dyer, it now picks itself ...  Read the complete review