Pernille Harder will lead from the front but Germany and Sweden are favourites to progress from Group C
This article is part of the Guardian’s Euro 2025 Experts’ Network, a cooperation between some of the best media organisations from the 16 countries who qualified. theguardian.com is running previews from two teams each day in the run-up to the tournament kicking off on 2 July.
Everything was going fine for Denmark in the buildup. There weren’t too many injury worries or key players retiring. Results had been decent – until the last Nations League game against Sweden. With everything to play for, Denmark not only lost the match that could have secured them a first-place finish in League A for the first time – they were demolished 6-1 by the side they are playing in their first game at Euro 2025. “I’ve been part of this team for many years but I think this is the worst I’ve experienced,” the midfielder Sanne Troelsgaard told Aftonbladet after the game. “We need to take a good look at ourselves.”
That disappointment will cast a shadow over Denmark’s hopes, but there is still optimism. Qualifying for the tournament was impressive, including getting close to a famous result in Spain: Andrée Jeglertz’s side were 2-0 up after 72 minutes in Tenerife, but ultimately lost 3-2.
