Denmark

History The Denmark national football team, governed by the Danish Football Association and affiliated to Europe’s UEFA, is one of the most successful football teams in the world. The history of football in Denmark dates back to early 20th century. The national team played its first international match on 19 October, 1908 against France , recording a remarkable 9-0 victory. The most memorable victory in the history of Danish football is the 17-1 win against France in October 1908. Denmark presently has 1,620 football clubs, 4,400 referees, and 3,04,674 registered players, including 1,98,658 youth players under 19. Achievements The national team’s first championship victory was the 1992 European Championship, where its qualification itself was very dramatic. The team trailed behind Yugoslavia in the qualification group and failed to qualify for the 1992 event. However the ban on Yugoslavia’s participation due to the Yugoslav wars gave Denmark entry into the 1992 European Championship. Under the guidance of coach Moller Nielsen and with star goalkeeper Peter Schmeichel the Denmark team progressed ahead of England and France. In the semifinals the team beat the Dutch and advanced to the finals. In the finals match Denmark beat Germany , the 1990 FIFA World Cup Champion, to win its first trophy. In the 1984 event Denmark reached the semifinals, and in the 2004 event it reached the quarterfinals. Denmark has also competed in the FIFA World Cup events, the Confederations Cup, and the Summer Olympics. At the World Cup, Denmark did not participate during 1930-1954 and also in the year 1958. It reached the quarterfinals in 1998, the second round in 1986 and 2002, and failed to qualify in the years 1958, 1966-1982, 1994, and 2006. Denmark won the Confederations Cup in 1995 but failed to qualify in 1992 and during 1997-2005. Meanwhile, at the Summer Olympic Games the Denmark national football team has won 3 silver medals – in 1908, 1912, and 1960. It has also won the bronze medal in the 1948 Olympic Games.