After an extremely unfortunate start to the Euro 20 campaign, Denmark have done very well to reach the quarter-finals where they face the Czech Republic. Denmark was placed in a group along with Belgium, Russia and Finland. After losing their first 2 games, qualification looked difficult but an immense 4-1 win over Russia saw them proceed to the next stage. They then went on to face Wales in the round of 16 and won the game 4-0.
The Czech Republic too was placed in a rather tricky group along with England, Scotland and Croatia. They beat Scotland 2-0 as Patrik Schick gave the world an insane goal. They then qualified for the next round through a third-placed spot after a draw to Croatia and a loss to England. The Czechs were then pitted against the Netherlands in the Round of 16. Against all odds, they went on to win 2-0 as a Tomas Holes masterclass saw them move to the quarter-finals.
Match Facts
Date: 3rd July, Saturday
Time: 5pm (BST)
Venue: Baku Olimpiya Stadium, Azerbaijan
Referee: Bjorn Kuipers (Netherlands)
The Czech Republic Team News
Jiri Pavlenka is the only absentee for this game as he nurses a back injury. If ain’t broken, don’t fix it. Jaroslav Silhavy should name the same side that beat the Dutch in the previous round.
Sevilla’s Tomas Vaclik should keep his place between the sticks. Jan Boril could get the nod ahead of Pavel Kaderbek alongside Ondrej Celustka, Tomas Kala and West Ham’s Vladimir Coufal. Tomas Holes and Tomas Soucek form one of the most formidable midfield pivots in the Euros and will keep their place in the centre of the park.
Lukas Masopust and Petr Sevcik should start on the flanks with Antonin Barak starting down the middle. Patrik Schick‘s place in the squad is non-negotiable at this point and he will spearhead the attack.
Predicted Lineup – Tomas Vaclik; Vladimir Coufal, Ondrej Celustka, Tomas Kala, Jan Boril; Tomas Holes, Tomas Soucek; Lukas Masopust, Antonin Barak, Petr Sevcik; Patrik Schick
Denmark Team News
Forward, Andreas Cornelius is a doubt for this game with a back injury. Naturally, unfortunate circumstances have ruled Christian Eriksen out of the tournament. Kasper Hjulmand too has no reason to make a change to his squad and should start the same names.
Kasper Schmeichel will start in goal behind the back 3 of Chelsea’s Andreas Christensen, AC Milan’s Simon Kjaer and Southampton’s Jannik Vestergaard. Daniel Wass missed the previous game through illness and will be back in the right-wing back spot.
The Danish front 3 of Mikkel Damsgaard, Kasper Dolberg and Martin Braithwaite were very impressive upfront and will lead the line.
Predicted Lineup – Kasper Schmeichel; Andreas Christensen, Simon Kjaer, Jannik Vestergaard; Daniel Wass, Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, Thomas Delaney, Joakim Maehle; Mikkel Damsgaard, Kasper Dolberg, Martin Braithwaite
Predicted Winner
Owing to the recent form of both teams and their quality, it will be a very difficult game to predict. The Danes are very clinical and despite playing a rather even game with Wales, they ended up scoring 4 goals. The Czech Republic, on the other hand, are a very disciplined side and do not rush into the game. This game will come down to the finer margins and the team that lets their guard down will be punished severely.
Predicted Score: Denmark 1-0 Czech Republic
