Denmark vs Belgium LIVE: Stream FREE, score, TV channel as Poulsen NETS early opener – Euro 2020 latest updates

DENMARK 1-0 BELIGUM

3. What a start we have had here.

I didn’t even get the chance to let you guys know what colour kits the players are wearing.

It was sloppy defending by Jason Denaya who gifted the ball to Pierre- Emile Hojbjerg.

And then the midfielder slipped it to Yussuf Poulsen who kept his composure and tucked the ball past a stretched Thibaut Courtois.

GOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAL!

DENMARK SCOREEEEEEEEEEEE!

AND THAT’S A GOAL FOR ERIKSEN AND THE WHOLE NATION!

ANNOUNCEMENT

Quick update for those who are joining the blog late, Belgian marksman Romelu Lukaku has announced that there will be a stoppage in play on the 10^th minute to pay tribute to his club team mate Christian Eriksen.

Football really does bring everyone together.

DENMARK 0-0 BELGIUM

1. Here we go lads and lasses!

The second game of the day is under-way and whenever a match features Belgium, we should expect some goals…

Well it’s not guaranteed but I guess we can dream.

PEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEP!

AND WE’RE OFF!

NATIONAL ANTHEMS

The players are currently singing their hearts out as we approach kick-off.

It’s almost time!

RED BRICK WALL

The support for Christian Eriksen is absolutely amazing.

EURO FACTS 

Following on from the earlier post, multiple trips doesn’t seem to have an effect on Belgium because not only did they demonstrate that they can score a goal or two by thrashing Russia in their Euros opener.

But the Belgians were the overall top scorers in the qualifying stages where they had to do even more travelling and they managed 40 goals in their 10 matches.

Also if that wasn’t impressive enough, they only conceded three goals, which is a joint record matched by Turkey.

As for the Dane’s, the 1-0 loss to Finland last Saturday was their third consecutive defeat in the Euros if you include their 2012 campaign haven’t not qualified for the 2016 competition.

It will be a real uphill battle this evening for Kasper Hjulmand and his side.

MASTERMIND MARTINEZ

Belgium have made their third trip in six days during the Euros and Roberto Martinez has recognised that it could take a toll on his players.

But the Belgian boss seems to have a plan in place to deal with this situation.

In terms of logistics, it’s probably the hardest we could’ve had. Playing Russia in Saint Petersburg in the first game in then Denmark in the second and then going back to Saint Petersburg. We need to adjust our preparation and we’ll make sure that the logistics are just right.

Roberto MartinezUEFA.com

BELGIUM CURRENT FORM

On the other hand, the Belgians have won their last four out of six matches, scoring 17 and only conceding three in that time.

Sounds like a brilliant stat but I must admit, eight of those goals did come in one game against Belarus.

But nevertheless, they are in scintillating form and as a matter of fact, Roberto Martinez’ side haven’t lost since the 2-1 defeat to England on October 11th 2020, 11 matches ago.

DENMARK RECENT RESULTS

Heading into the Euros, Denmark were on a good run and looked as if they were going to be a real dark horse in this year’s tournament.

The 1992 winners of this competition, hadn’t lost a game in 2021 which includes holding the Germans to a 1-1 draw.

But sadly all good things must come to an end, and the loss to Finland on match-day 1 has put a complete halt to that streak.

LOVELY LUKAKU

And for all his incredible attributes, and the way he bullies defenders, the Belgian marksman isn’t afraid to show that he is very caring.

Here was Lukaku dedicating one of his goals against Russia to Christian Eriksen on the weekend ICYMI.

The things you love to see.

LETHAL LUKAKU

What else is there to say about Romelu Lukaku? The man just loves scoring goals.

The Belgian marksman has 62 goals in only 94 caps for his country and is currently Belgium’s all-time top goal scorer.

Lukaku got off to a blistering start in the Euros after bagging a brace against Russia on the opening day which now makes it 20 goals in his last 15 competitive international fixtures.

Last Serie A campaign, the 28-year-old’s 24 goals fired Inter Milan to their first Scudetto in 11 years and this is a follow up of his 23 strikes in the league the season before.

Below are Lukaku’s statistics from the 2020/21 Italian League title winning triumph.

I wouldn’t be surprised to see him get crowned with the golden boot for the European Championships this year too.

CAPTAIN FANTASTIC

Captain, leader, legend, hero.

Simon Kjaer most certainty played his part in bringing Christian Eriksen back to a bit of stability and he deserves all the accolades he can get.

SIMON SAYS

And whenever Simon Kjaer says something, his back-line normally listens.

The AC Milan defender is influential in this Denmark side which is why he is the team’s captain despite the various other talented nominees in the squad.

Since making his international debut in 2009, Kjaer has been a preferred option at the rearguard even to the likes of Southampton’s Jannik Vestergaard or Fulham’s Joachim Andersen.

The 32-year-old has appeared 108 times for Denmark which makes him the 5th most capped player in a Dane Jersey and only 21 behind Manchester United legend Peter Schemeichel’s record.

Despite finishing 12 points off Serie A winners and bitter rivals Inter Milan, AC Milan had their best campaign in a while and Simon Kjaer was a major part of that.

Feast your eyes on the some of his best statistics in the previous season.

THE BOYS ARE BACK IN TOWN

Belgium have arrived in Copenhagen and they are all masked up ready to steal the three points.

BELGIUM DUGOUT

12 Mignolet, 13 Sels, 3 Vermaelen, 4 Boyata, 6 Witsel, 7 De Bruyne, 10 E.Hazard, 20 Benteke, 23 Batshuayi, 24 Trossard, 25 Doku, 26 Praet

BELGIUM XI

Similar to the Danish camp, the Beglian boss has been subjected to make a few changes from match-day one due to injuries.

Dedryck Boyata is rotated for Jason Denayer in between the pairing of Toby Alderweireld and Jan Vertonghen who has surprisingly shaken off his knock.

Thomas Meunier steps in for the injured Timothy Castagne on the flanks.

But the front three of Dries Martens, Yannick Carrasco and Romelu Lukaku all keep their places in the side.

Also the big news is that talisman Kevin De Bruyne has been declared fit enough to make the bench so I’m sure he will have some sort of cameo this evening.

1 Courtois, 2 Alderweireld, 18 Denayer, 5 Vertonghen, 15 Meunier, 19 Dendoncker, 8 Tielemans, 16 T.Hazard, 14 Mertens, 11 Carrasco, 9 Lukaku

DENMARK DUGOUT

16 Lossl, 22 Ronnow, 2 Andersen, 7 Skov, 11 Skov Olsen, 12 Dolberg, 13 Jorgensen, 15 Norgaard, 17 Stryger, 19 Wind, 21 Cornelius, 24 Jensen

DENMARK XI

Kasper Hjulmand has made a couple of changes to the first XI from the side that tasted defeat on the opening fixture against Finland.

Southampton Centre-back Jannik Vestergaard steps in for Christian Eriksen which could potentially see the formation altered a little.

And Sampdoria winger Mikkel Damsgaard replaces Jonas Wind in one of the attacking positions.

1 Schmeichel, 18 Wass, 4 Kjaer, 6 Christensen, 3 Vestergaard, 5 Maehle, 23 Hojbjerg, 8 Delaney, 9 Braithwaite, 20 Yurary, 14 Damsgaard

THE STARTING LINE-UPS ARE IN!

NOT COPEN WITH THE PRESSURE

Denmark were thought to have the slight advantage with all three of their group games being at the Parken Stadium in Copenhagen.

But after losing at home to Finland and suffering a defeat to Belgium late last year, none of the odds are stacked in their favour.

Both way, it is still a sight for sore eyes and with the stadium set to be 65% full, the atmosphere will be rocking.

BELGIUM TEAM UPDATE

Roberto Martinez already had a selection headache on the opening game with his incredible roster of talent to choose from but with certain players returning from injury, it has just became a little more difficult.

According to the Belgian boss, Professional Footballers’ Association’s Men’s Player of the Year, Kevin de Bruyne is said to have fully recovered from his facial fractures, Alex Witsel has battled his way back from an Achilles problem and it’s the first time Martinez has seen Eden Hazard ‘play so freely’ after the Real Madrid star enjoyed a 20 minute spell against Russia.

Martinez took to his press conference earlier on this week to update the media with his side’s injury news where his exact words were: “Alex Witsel and Kevin De Bruyne are progressing well.

“Axel had a good training session. He is way ahead of what we expected and I can tell you that he will be involved in the game against Denmark.

“The agenda for De Bruyne is clear: he is fit and can play. The question now is how much he can play. I am happy with the progress he is making.”

Unfortunately Martinez didn’t receive all positive news on the injury font because veteran defender, Jan Vertonghen took a knock to the ankle so he is set to miss out on match-day 2.

And following his horrible head clash with Russian midfielder Daler Kuzyaev, it looks as if Timothy Castagne’s Euro campaign has come to a premature end especially after the news broke out that his injury required a SIX-hour operation procedure.

Martinez said: “Jan Vertonghen’s ankle is swollen. We wait 48 hours for the inflammation to decrease. I do not expect him to encounter any problems for the game against Finland. (Monday 21^st June) We will now see if he can play against Denmark.”

When asked about Castagne, the Belgium head coach responded: “If we go to the final, he can definitely come but whether he can be on the field, I doubt it.

“From a medical point of view, he needs more than four weeks but since the case of Axel Witsel, who was never meant to be here after his injury, I do not rule out medical miracles.”

DENMARK SQUAD NEWS

Kasper Hjulmand will reportedly have a full strength squad to choose apart from absentee Christian Eriksen for obvious reasons.

However, the Danish manager has been encouraged to take a check on his side’s welfare going into the game as there might be a few players still in shock from tragic situation last Saturday.

Also, no Eriksen could mean a first team spot for either of the Brentford duo Mathias Jensen or Christian Norgaard.