Euro 2020 Quarterfinal Preview: Czech Republic vs Denmark

AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 26: Andreas Cornelius of Denmark (C) celebrates with his teammates after winning against Wales during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Wales and Denmark at Johan Cruijff Arena on June 26, 2021 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
AMSTERDAM, NETHERLANDS - JUNE 26: Andreas Cornelius of Denmark (C) celebrates with his teammates after winning against Wales during the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship Round of 16 match between Wales and Denmark at Johan Cruijff Arena on June 26, 2021 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)
Czech Republic players celebrate after Patrik Schick scored the team’s second goal during their Round of 16 match against Holland. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)
Czech Republic players celebrate after Patrik Schick scored the team’s second goal during their Round of 16 match against Holland. (Photo by Alex Pantling/Getty Images)

Denmark and Czech Republic kick off the second day of the quarterfinals of Euro 2020

The cinderella stories of Euro 2020 — Denmark and the Czech Republic —are set to face of in the quarterfinals with both sides hoping to book a spot in the semifinals.

Denmark are likely the team of most every neutral supporter given how their tournament began with the scary episode involving Christian Eriksen.

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The Danish side has not had an easy go during Euro 2020 but have done well to find themselves with a shot of going through to the next stage. Denmark manager Kasper Hjulmand knows this is a golden opportunity for them.

"“It’s many years’ work for lots of people,” Hjulmand said. “We want to make the most of this chance. We need to do everything to the best of our ability, prepare really well, see what we have out there and how far that will take us.”Source: UEFA"

To get to this point, Denmark beat Wales 4-0 courtesy of a brace from Kasper Dolberg as well as tallies from Joakim Mæhle and Martin Braithwaite. Despite only winning one match during the group stage, they made it difficult for Finland and Belgium.

The Danes have scored eight goals in their last two matches. In addition to putting four past Wales, they also scored four in their game against Russia.

Similar to Denmark, the Czech Republic only managed one win in the group stage and that was their opener against Scotland. But they are riding a high following a defeat of Netherlands in the round of 16. In the eyes of some, they weren’t even supposed to make it past that round.

But here they are.

Still, they know they have to put the Netherlands match in the past and be focused solely on Denmark.

"“It is going to be a different match than against the Dutch, where we waited for counters as we knew that some of their attacking players do not get back very quickly to defend,” said Czech midfielder Jakub Jankto. “This will not be the case with the Danes, as they regain their shape promptly after losing possession.”Source: UEFA"

Czech Republic have won their last two encounters against Denmark at the Euros. The last time they faced was in Euro 2004, also in the quarterfinal, with Czech Republic coming away with a 4-0 win.

On paper, this should be an even affair with perhaps the Danes having a slight edge given their performances in their last two games. What the Czech Republic have to their advantage is they’ve already knocked off a good team. They’re going to want to replicate that only this time, against Denmark.