Behind the scenes with Denmark U21s
Monday 15 June 2009
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Daniel Agger was a key man in Denmark's team of 2006 (©Getty Images)
Over the years the UEFA European Under-21 Championship has been a springboard for future stars such as Zinédine Zidane, Francesco Totti and Frank Lampard. In 2006 Denmark's team included two players bound for the top echelons of English football as Daniel Agger and Nicklas Bendtner, of Liverpool FC and Arsenal FC respectively, attempted to help the Scandinavian nation to a first U21 crown.
Danish drama
After storming through qualification for the 2006 finals, scoring 34 goals in 14 games, Denmark arrived in northern Portugal as dark horses to achieve glory. To chart their path through the group stage and beyond, the UEFA Training Ground followed Flemming Serritslev's squad as part of a fascinating three-part documentary – capturing every high and low of a memorable campaign. Click here to see episode one as the Danes launch their challenge against a fancied Italy side led by 1982 FIFA World Cup winner Claudio Gentile.
Skills School
Elsewhere on the Training Ground, you can pick up tricks made famous by U21 names of the past in the UEFA Champions League Skills School. The France team of 1994 got as far as the semi-finals thanks, in part, to the mesmerising talents of a young Zidane; the 2000 tournament saw Lampard in scoring form for England; and back in 1996 Totti caught the eye as Italy lifted the title.
More big names
Another Italian international to have tasted U21 success is Andrea Pirlo; you can learn directly from the 2000 finals winner and AC Milan midfielder in an exclusive passing masterclass on the Training Ground by clicking here. In 2002 Petr Čech was the Czech Republic hero as they overcame France on penalties to claim their only crown to date – watch the Chelsea FC keeper's complete training guide here. With all this information and more, the Training Ground can only enhance your footballing education.
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