Today, June 12th, the EM 2021 Group B starts the tournament. The first game in Group B is against Denmark Finland. The game starts at 6 p.m. and is played in Copenhagen / Denmark. Denmark are the big favorites to beat Finland. The odds on victory for Denmark are just 1.45. Denmark versus Finland is broadcast on ZDF, which is the last to begin EM reporting after ARD and MagentaTV.
The game between Denmark and Finland has a long history. There have already been 62 international matches between Denmark and Finland. Denmark won 40 games in 11 draws and 11 wins for Finland. Finland’s last victory was in 2000 – so it’s time for Finland again.
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When comparing Denmark and Finland, the Danes come off much better. Denmark has been one of the better teams in the world for many years, while Finland is one of the smaller teams. Therefore, Denmark is the favorite to win in the Scandinavian duel. In the difficult group B, however, a lot is possible and Finland can also have a say in advancing. An opening win – or at least a point win – against Denmark would be a fantastic start for Finland. It will also be Finland’s first ever European Championship game and the players are sure to be extra motivated.
Update on today’s European Championship game 2021 Denmark against Finland
17 o’clock – The lineups are here!
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Denmark before the first European Championship group game: home advantage in a tricky group
Denmark has a home advantage at the EM 2021, because all three Denmark games in Group B take place in Copenhagen. Maybe this is the decisive advantage for the Danes to assert themselves against the other teams. Finland is probably the easiest opponent in the preliminary round to begin with. Denmark is a tournament team (European champions 1992) and wants to come in well against Finland here. At the EM 2021, Denmark is stronger than it has been for a long time. The team has a world class keeper and great players in midfield and defense. In addition, the Danes play intense football in 4-3-3. Above all, the players are in a very good mood mentally. The fans of the German national team witnessed Denmark’s good game at 1-1 in preparation for the European Championship. For Denmark, an opening win against Finland is now a must.
Denmark have home rights against Finland on Matchday 1 and will likely play in their red home kits. The EM jerseys of Denmark are from the Danish manufacturer Hummel.
Finland before the first European Championship group game: excitement before the European Championship premiere
Finland celebrates its debut in the European Championship at the first European Championship group game. After 32 failed attempts, Finland is starting a major World Cup or European Championship tournament for the first time. For Finland there are only strong opponents at the European Championship – Finland itself is considered an outsider at the tournament. A real football fever has broken out in Finland and of course the players want to deliver. The team does not have any EM stars in its squad, but an excellent team spirit. Keeper Hradecky (Bayer Leverkusen) said: “We are 26 people who are friends with each other.” However, the preparations for the European Championship were not that great. The Finnish national team had to admit defeat twice against Sweden and Estonia. In the two games, coach Markku Kanerva played a 3-5-2 and a 3-4-3. Finland could also play with a completely defensive basic orientation in 5-3-2. The most important player is Teemu Pukki. Finland is dependent on the goals of the striker (ex-Schalke).
Finland is likely to play in the white home kits from Nike. The home shirt features a huge Scandinavian cross in Finnish blue.
The line-ups today for the international match between Denmark and Finland
Denmark played several formations in 2020/21 but will likely play in an offensive 4-3-3 against Finland:
Denmark: Flattery; Mæhle, Kjær, Christensen, Wass; Eriksen, Højbjerg, Delaney; Poulsen, Wind, Braithwaite
The showpiece is the midfield with Eriksen, Højbjerg and Delaney. The central defense with Kjær and Christensen is also of a high standard. Poulsen has to deliver in the storm, as he has already shown in the preparation against Germany.
The Finnish national team could play against Denmark with a back three and two strikers. The 3-5-2 was recently practiced in international matches.
Finland: Hradecky; O’Shaughnessy, Arajuuri, Toivio; Uronen, Kamara, Sparv, Lod, Raitala; Pukki, Pohjanpalo
The line-up of the Finnish team is more defensively oriented. In the attack, Pukki and Pohjanpalo have to take care of the dangerous moments. The keeper Hradecky is one of the few players in Finland with international experience.
The international match between Denmark and Finland on ZDF
Denmark against Finland runs on ZDF – kick-off is at 6 p.m. Jochen Breyer will moderate on ZDF. The experts are Christoph Kramer and Per Mertesacker. This team will accompany the entire 2nd EM day on ZDF. The commentator for the match between Denmark and Finland is Béla Réthy.
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