'We're really going to beat Norway'

Striker Emma Madsen is in buoyant mood ahead of Denmark's derby with Scandinavian rivals Norway on Monday, a match that will decide who joins Germany in the UEFA European Women's Under-19 Championship semi-finals from Group A.

Must-win game
After following up an opening-day defeat by holders Germany with a 2-1 triumph against Iceland, Denmark's aspirations of reaching the last four for the second time in as many years are still intact. Although level on points with Norway, an inferior goal difference means the Danes must take three points from their encounter in Akranes, yet Madsen is not cowed, saying: "We're really going to beat Norway – I promise that."

Attacking responsibilities
The comment drew high fives from her watching coach, Henrik Lehm, and Denmark have reason to feel confident having come within two minutes of victory when the teams met in the second qualifying round in April. Nanna Christiansen scored the opening goal that day but Madsen has borne most of the attacking responsibilities in Iceland; it is a role she is enjoying. "It's good," the Danish No4 said. "I'm playing a bit ahead of the others and I don't have to defend that much. All I have to do is put pressure on the defenders."

Nerves
She did that to great effect against the hosts on Friday, winning a penalty on the cusp of half-time that she then drilled into the net with aplomb. "I was a little bit nervous and when I ran up to the ball I didn't really think about placing it to one side – I was just thinking about smashing it in and the nerves went away," she said. The strike proved decisive although Fanndis Fridriksdóttir reduced the deficit in the second half as Iceland went in search of an equaliser, leaving Denmark behind Norway in the goal difference stakes. "We could have won by more but the girls didn't really perform," said Madsen. "Still, we have a great chance to go through."