NI v Denmark(20/11/2023)

THE SQUAD: DENMARK

WORDS: LIAM BLACKBURN

KASPER SCHMEICHEL GOALKEEPER ANDERLECHT (BEL) AGE 37 CAPS 97 GOALS 0 The son of Danish great Peter, Kasper spent much of his childhood in England and made the breakthrough at Manchester City before eventually becoming the number one at Leicester City, with whom he won a Premier League title. Spent last season in France with Nice and now plays in Belgium.

FREDERIK RØNNOW GOALKEEPER UNION BERLIN (GER) AGE 31 CAPS 8 GOALS 0

MADS HERMANSEN GOALKEEPER LEICESTER CITY

AGE 23 CAPS 0 GOALS 0 The current first choice goalkeeper with Leicester City, who came into this international window top of the EFL Championship table. Hermansen has been a regular in the Danish squads for these European Championship qualifiers.

The number one at Bundesliga club Union Berlin, with whom he has been playing in the Champions League this season. Played for AC Horsens and Brondby in his native country before moving to Germany, initially with Eintracht Frankfurt.

ANDREAS CHRISTENSEN DEFENDER BARCELONA (ESP)

JOAKIM MÆHLE DEFENDER WOLFSBURG (GER) AGE 26 CAPS 41 GOALS 10 Full-back who boasts an impressive goals tally at international level. Maehle began his career in Denmark with AaB, then went to Genk – with whom he won a title – and then Serie A side Atalanta before joining Bundesliga club Wolfsburg this August.

JANNIK VESTERGAARD DEFENDER LEICESTER CITY AGE 31 CAPS 35 GOALS 2 A 6ft 6ins centre back, Vestergaard has been a mainstay for a Leicester side who have had an impressive start to the season. He played in the Bundesliga for Hoffenheim, Werder Bremen and Borussia Monchengladbach, and also spent three seasons in the Premier League with Southampton. JESPER LINDSTRØM MIDFIELDER NAPOLI (ITA) AGE 23 CAPS 14 GOALS 1 Born into a Brondby-supporting family, he came through the ranks at his boyhood club and played for the senior team aged 18. Won the league title with Brondby in 2020-21. He moved to Eintracht Frankfurt, winning the Europa League with the club, and recently joined Napoli. AGE 25 CAPS 10 GOALS 0 Formerly of Danish sides Nordsjaelland and FC Copenhagen, Nelsson is now in his third season with Turkish club Galatasaray. Nelsson had only started one of the previous European Championship 2024 qualifiers for Denmark heading into this international window. VICTOR NELSSON DEFENDER GALATASARAY (TUR)

AGE 27 CAPS 66 GOALS 3 Ex-Chelsea defender who played most of the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League final when the Blues defeated Manchester City. Having made over 150 appearances for Chelsea, he moved to Barcelona last season and won a La Liga title. Two of his international goals have come at finals.

JOACHIM ANDERSEN DEFENDER CRYSTAL PALACE

RASMUS KRISTENSEN DEFENDER ROMA (ITA)

AGE 27 CAPS 27 GOALS 0 Centre back Andersen is in his fourth season in the Premier League after initially joining Fulham on loan before moving to Crystal Palace. The ex-Twente, Sampdoria and Lyon defender has represented Denmark at every level from Under-16 to the senior team.

AGE 26 CAPS 18 GOALS 0 Kristensen is currently on loan with Roma from parent club Leeds United, with whom he scored three Premier League goals last term. His former clubs include Midtjylland, Ajax and Red Bull Salzburg and he has won league titles in the Netherlands and Austria.

VICTOR KRISTIANSEN DEFENDER BOLOGNA (ITA)

JENS STRYGER LARSEN DEFENDER TRABZONSPOR (TUR)

AGE 20 CAPS 2 GOALS 0 A left back who moved to Leicester in January 2023. Kristiansen is on a season long loan with Serie A side Bologna. He initially made the breakthrough at FC Copenhagen, winning one league title with the club. Won his first cap in June in the Euro qualifier against Slovenia.

AGE 32 CAPS 54 GOALS 3 Having represented Denmark at various youth levels, Stryger Larsen scored on his senior debut in a 5-0 win over Liechtenstein in August 2016. He began his career with Brondby and later moved to Austria Wien and then Udinese in Italy. Now plays his club football in Turkey.

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NIR V DEN

ALL STATISTICS CORRECT PRIOR TO FRIDAY’S MATCH WITH FINLAND