IT was the footballing miracle fuelled by the unlikeliest preparation of burgers, booze and an all-night party.
The against-all-odds triumph which actually cost one of its major players not one but TWO holidays.
Denmark legend Henrik Larsen celebrates winning Euro 92Credit: Getty
Yet a victory no one could have put a penny on less than a month earlier . . . because the eventual winners were not meant to be in the competition.
Denmark had only been called into Euro 92 when Yugoslavia were booted out — over the war in the Balkans — ten days before the tournament began.
Amazingly, a month later they were champions, after their injury-ravaged and depleted side shocked the biggest names in Europe at the Sweden event.
They stunned even themselves — and today the heroes of Denmark’s finest hour will hold an almighty party in Copenhagen to celebrate the 30th anniversary.
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Henrik Larsen was one of the lesser-known Danes ahead of Euro 92, spending that season on loan at Lyngby from Serie B side Pisa, where he was surplus to requirements.
He returned to Italy as the tournament’s joint-top scorer — and still recovering from the mother of all hangovers after three days of partying.
Larsen, now 56, recalls that sensational 2-0 final win over Germany — and the madcap antics which made Denmark’s band of brothers the kings of Europe — as if it was yesterday.
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He revealed: “I had a holiday booked in the Greek islands with friends, so that got cancelled when we were called in.
“But I thought we’d just have our three games against England, Sweden and France and then we’d be back on holiday — so I booked one in Majorca after the group stage.
“Obviously that went the same way as the first and eventually I didn’t get away at all as I had to go on a pre-season training camp with Pisa.
“So winning the Euros cost me two holidays and a summer break of any kind. But of course it was worth it.”
Henrik Larsen lines up for Denmark ahead of Euro 92 clash against CroatiaCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd
With only one point after two group games — a 0-0 opening draw with Graham Taylor’s Three Lions — the Danes had to beat a French side boasting Eric Cantona, Laurent Blanc and Jean-Pierre Papin to progress.
Amazingly, they did.
Larsen said: “They had qualified with maximum points and were looking at us thinking, ‘We’re playing a holiday team here, they can’t harm us’. They were so sure they’d win.
“I had only scored once in 18 games for Denmark but got an early goal.
“We were pressing, winning all the second balls and headers — and beat them 2-1.”
It earned a semi-final with holders Holland, who were fancied even more than France.
And there was more complacency followed by another jaw-dropping shock, this time on penalties with Denmark running on empty.
Larsen — who hit both Danish goals in a 2-2 draw — said: “Like France, they thought all they had to do was run around and they’d win.
“We scored early, which woke them up a bit and then went in front again.
“But they equalised with four minutes left and we were really struggling.
“We played extra-time with two injured players and were just fighting to get to penalties.
Peter Schmeichel celebrates beating Germany in the Euro 92 finalCredit: Getty
“But once we did, we had the best keeper in the world, Peter Schmeichel, and that made a massive difference.
“I was struggling with my groin so told coach Richard Moller Nielsen I’d take first, as I didn’t want it to get cold.
“I was only nervous afterwards, thinking what could have happened if I’d missed — and it was honestly just like taking one in a normal game.
“Anyway, Peter saved Marco van Basten’s penalty and we were through — and partied until 6am to celebrate!
“There were lots of beers, a few McDonald’s and it wasn’t the best preparation because the final was only four days later, on Friday, June 26.”
So it was on to face mighty Germany and, for 20 minutes, it looked a case of ‘How many?’ as the 1990 World Cup winners were in total control.
And then it all changed.
Underdogs Denmark celebrate their shock Euro 92 final triumph over GermanyCredit: Getty
Larsen said: “At first they were running round us like we were cones. It was so easy it was like a warm-up for them.
“But suddenly John Jensen, who never scored, put us in front and all our energy came back. We were a new team, winning tackles and second balls, fighting for everything.
“I remember some of the Germans telling us how they felt every tackle off us. One told me, ‘You were like lions — no one could stop you’.
“We had hardly any preparation, played like it was street soccer and got a second goal from Kim Vilfort.
“But no one could say we didn’t deserve it. We beat the world champions, the European champions and a great French team. We had a great spirit and enjoyed being together.
“On the night of the final we had a big party in the hotel, two hours’ sleep and then flew back to Copenhagen, where we had another party.
“Sunday, it was my brother Christian’s bachelor party and we went to the horse racing.
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“I was in my shorts and sunglasses, still drunk from Friday night, celebrating with the winning jockey!
“It was just an amazing time and I can’t remember when I next paid for a drink. It was a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, we all knew it. Just unbelievable!”
