Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen is confident that his team have the tools to overcome Germany in the last-16 stage of Euro 2024.
The Danes finished second in Group C behind England to secure a spot in the knockout round of the European Championship, and their reward was a clash with the tournament hosts.
Germany are regarded among the favourites to triumph at the competition, but Eriksen, who has become Denmark's most-capped male footballer this summer, is certain that his team have the credentials to navigate their way into the quarter-finals of the competition.
"First and foremost, I'm very proud to have won so many international caps. It's a bit of a strange feeling because a lot of the players who are up there are all-time greats of Danish football," Eriksen told UEFA's official website, with the Manchester United midfielder now featuring 133 caps for his country.
© Imago
Eriksen is now Denmark's most-capped male footballer
"To be there alongside them is something I will look upon fondly when I'm done playing, with a big smile on my face.
"It wasn't really a goal of mine to reach that number. I was just excited about playing. Of course, it's been talked about, and people have approached me saying they were sure I would make it.
"I never thought it would be possible. Even though I got to 50 caps pretty early in my career, it still wasn't a goal.
"I'm really looking forward to it. A knockout game against Germany in Germany – it doesn't get any bigger than that. A lot of people seem to think that we've lost already, so we can play freely and give our all.
"I'm looking forward to showing that we can rub shoulders [with the best teams] in this tournament. I believe we can beat the Germans, but many things will have to come together for us."
© Reuters
Denmark were European champions in 1992
Denmark famously won Euro 1992, but they were then eliminated in the group stage of the competition in 1996 and 2000.
The Danes reached the quarter-finals in 2004, but they were then eliminated in the group stage of Euro 2012, before making the semi-finals in Euro 2020 after failing to qualify for Euro 2016.
Kasper Hjulmand's side drew all three of their matches in the group stage of this summer's European Championship, sharing the points with Slovenia, England and Serbia.
However, despite failing to win a game, three points proved to be enough for them to claim second behind England, with Slovenia also qualifying for the next round as one of the best third-placed teams.
Matt Law
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