Unexpected Winners: Denmark 1992 European Championship

We can safely say that the entire nation was glued to the TV this summer watching Gareth Southgate's England side do the nation proud, but the Three Lions ultimately fell just short of picking up silverware. However, despite the loss to Italy, they had already beaten two former winners of the Euros in Germany and Denmark.

England beat the latter 2-1 after an extra time goal from Harry Kane but despite all the hardship that the Danes overcame to make that semi-final, they pulled off an even more miraculous feat with their win in 1992.

To begin with, up until 10 days before the tournament started, Denmark hadn't even qualified. Yes you read that right. The Danes would be drafted in as a last minute qualifier to replace Yugoslavia who were expelled from the competition because the country had been split up and there were internal wars going on.

With only nine days to prepare, Denmark were dropped into a group with the hosts Sweden as well as England and France. In 1992, the Euros were still made up of just 8 teams and you would only receive two points for a win in the group stage.

Both England and France were teams in transition, with the Three Lions yet to get the infusion of youth that would serve them so well four years later and the French in a similar position with the likes of Emmanuel Petit and Didier Deschamps only in their early 20's.

The Danes on the other hand, would enter the tournament with most of their squad in the prime of their careers and very experienced at the international level, with the likes of Peter Schmeichel and Brian Laudrup involved. Something they would take full advantage of.

Denmark would grind out a dull 0-0 draw against in England in their opening game before losing 1-0 to Sweden on the second matchday. The loss meant the Danes would need a win in their final game against France which they would get thanks to goals from Lars Elstrup and Henrik Larsen to win 2-1.

A second place finish in the group behind Sweden would mean that they would face the current holders and favourites Netherlands in the semi-final. The Dutch could boast a lineup of world stars with the likes of Ronald Koeman, Marco Van Basten, Dennis Bergkamp, Frank Rijkaard, Frank de Boer and Ruud Gullit.

The Danes clearly hadn't read the script though and took the lead twice, both times through Larsen, only to be pegged back both times by the Dutch. Neither side was able to settle the match after extra time though and so a place in the final would be decided by penalties. Schmeichel was at his best in the shootout though and denied Van Basten to see Denmark through 5-4 on spot kicks.

The most unlikely finalists would face the giants of Germany for the trophy in Gothenburg. The Germans were not at the peak of their powers but still had the likes of Stefan Effenberg and Jurgen Klinsmann in their squad. Once again though, the Danes flipped the script and goals from John Jensen and Kim Vilfort put away Die Mannschaft to secure Denmark's first and only major trophy.