Denmark was decimated over a commercial dispute between its players and football association
Denmark faced Slovakia in a friendly match on Wednesday night in the Slovakian city of Trnava. It didn’t go well. This was because the Danish team was without all of its usual, actual professional footballers due to a commercial dispute.
The dispute came about after the country’s players refused to come to an agreement with its football association, the DBU, and it also saw the country’s manager and assistant – Age Hareide and Jon Dahl Tomasson – step aside, with former Arsenal player John Jensen taking charge.
Without the likes of Christian Eriksen, Kasper Schmeichel, Thomas Delaney and Pione Sisto, Denmark was forced to play a starting eleven which featured lower league footballers, futsal players and part-time players.
Those included an internet star famous for his football freestyle, a part-time salesman and a number of students.
The Danish team’s players union had made an offer to the DBU to temporarily play the games using the terms of their prior agreement, but the football association rejected this.
This rejection resulted in Denmark losing to a Slovakian side 16 places below them in the world rankings, but not by as a great a margin as you might expect. The Danes ultimately lost 3-0, thanks to two first half goals and a second half own goal courtesy of futsal player Adam Fogt.
There could be more trouble ahead for Denmark as they prepare for their opening UEFA Nations League match against Wales this week, which will also feature a number of these plucky underdogs.
