Forget Greece in 2004, Denmark are the real kings of unexpected Euros glory.
Back in 1992 they managed to win the tournament… despite failing to qualify.
Let us explain…
Denmark finished as runners-up behind Yugoslavia in Group 4 of the qualification stage.
Back then only the winners of the seven groups joined the hosts (Sweden) in the tournament — it was a simpler time.
The Danes thought they would be experiencing the tournament from the comfort of their art deco sofas up until a week before the opening fixture.
Then Yugoslavia were banned from participating because they had a few little problems to sort out.
And by little problems, we mean terrible wars.
And so Denmark were given Yugoslavia’s spot and, after France and England failed to win any of their group games, found themselves in the semi-finals.
A vintage showing from England as per usual.
Incredibly, Denmark then beat Netherlands in the semi-finals after Marco van Basten missed the decisive penalty in the shootout.
Outrageous volleys aren’t a problem but he never quite got his head around dead balls from 12 yards.
Germany were the opponents in the final.
Klinsmann, Effenberg, Riedle and co must have fancied their chances of lifting the trophy.
Remember, Denmark weren’t even supposed to be there.
But goals from Kim Vilfort and John Jensen (whose performances earned him a move to Arsenal) shocked the Germans, and the rest of Europe for that matter, as Denmark won 2-0.
Incredible scenes.
Man United’s Peter Schmeichel was named in the team of the tournament along with Brian Laudrup.
His brother Michael, who is universally accepted as Demark’s greatest ever player, skipped the tournament due to differences with head coach Richard Moller Nielsen — which makes their triumph even more unbelievable.
Their top-scorer and winner of the Golden Boot award was Henrik Larsen.
No, not him, everyone knows he’s Swedish.
That’s the fella.
Denmark failed to qualify for Euro 2016 after missing out on second place in Group I to Albania.
Now, how did that happen?
However, Lord Bendtner and co will be at the 2018 World Cup, mostly thanks to Christian Eriksen’s scintillating form in qualifying.
Although, in qualifying they’ve already doomed their chances of success… if the Class of 92’s methods are to be trusted.
