The nation of Denmark is a North European country that borders fellow Nordic nations Sweden and Norway to the north, and Germany to the south. This small European nation is home to the most passionate and loyal football supporters you can find in the world. The Danes have also produced exceptional footballers over the years from the Laudrup brothers (Michael, Brian) to the great Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel. Continue reading as we list out more unique facts about football in Denmark.
1. Origins of football in Denmark
The beautiful game was introduced by British sailors into the country sometime around the late 19th century. The Danish Football Association, the governing body that regulates the game in the country was established on the 18th of May, 1889.
2. First football match
A Danish select side defeated a local German club based in Hamburg 5-0 in the first-ever recorded match involving a team from Denmark. The game was played on April 18th, 1897.
3. First tournament
The first international competition that Denmark was ever involved in was the football event at the 1906 Summer Olympics hosted by Athens, Greece. The tournament was an invitational tournament, so they didn’t award official medals. Two years later, in the 1908 Olympics hosted in London, England, Denmark won a silver medal in the football tournament.
4. First official football match
The official match of the Danish men’s football national team was played on the 19th of October, 1908. They defeated the French B team by 9-0.
5. Biggest win
The Red and White’s biggest win in international football was a 17-1 demolition of the French national team, played on 22nd October 1908.
6. Biggest loss
The biggest defeat suffered by Denmark was a 9-0 hammering by Germany on the 16th of May, 1937.
7. All-time highest goal scorer
The Danish goal-scoring record is jointly held by two players Poul Nielsen and Jon Dahl Tomasson. They both scored 52 goals each.
8. Most caps
The national team appearances record is held by the great Dane Peter Schmeichel. The former Denmark goalkeeper featured 129 times during his career with the national team.
9. World Cup appearances
Denmark has qualified for the World Cup 6 times. Their best-ever performance was a quarterfinal appearance at the 1998 World Cup in France. They were among the first teams to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
10. European Championship
The Danes have appeared in the Euros on 9 occasions. Their best-ever performance was the fairytale triumph of 1992 when they beat Germany 2-0 in the final to lift the trophy.
11. League Competition
The premier league competition in the country is known as the Danish Superliga. Top football clubs in Denmark auch as Brøndby IF, FC Copenhagen, AaB, and FC Midtjylland compete in the league.
12. Female Football
The Danish Women’s football national team has been active since the 1970s. Their first official game was played on the 27th of July, 1974 against Sweden.
13. The Roligans
Denmark is very famous for their traveling football fans, known as roligans. They are a calm, yet cheerful, and easy-going nature group of supporters. They are often considered amongst the world’s best national team football fans.
