Denmark and Switzerland, who both advanced to the Euro 2024 knockout round, will begin their pursuit for UEFA Nations League supremacy on Thursday.
The teams get together in Copenhagen with the intention of kicking off League A Group 4 quickly.
Denmark will look to win on Thursday night
as they make their first visit to Parken Stadion since their last-16 defeat, looking to bounce back from a difficult summer's
European Championship.
Despite only scoring two of the seven goals in a sterile Group C, the Danes failed to win a single game during the group stage. One of the tournament's most memorable goals will always be Morten Hjulmand's incredible strike against England.
After surviving the first round, a storm interrupted Denmark's knockout match against the host nation, Germany. Joachim Andersen was unlucky to be involved in two incidents that led to his country's elimination: first, he had a goal disallowed for a slight offside, and then, a few moments later, he handled the ball and gave up a penalty.
After losing 2-0, head coach Kasper Hjulmand resigned. He had previously guided his nation to the semifinals of the
2020 Euro and through qualifying for the Qatar 2022 World Cup, where they ended bottom of their group and without a win.
In the previous League A Group 1, Denmark finished second, one point behind winners Croatia and a spot in the finals.
Hjulmand also managed two upsets in the Nations League against France.
He will be tough to replace with an overall record of 33 victories from 55 games, or a 60% win percentage. This week, the Danes visit Serbia, their rivals for the Euro 2024 championship, and are led by a caretaker coaching staff.
Switzerland cannot afford to make a mistake in a group that also includes Spain, the defending Nations League champions, who are coming off of an incredible Euros victory. If they want to advance to the championship competition in June.
The Rossocrociati will always remember their thrilling victory over holders Italy in Dusseldorf, even if they eventually lost on penalties to eventual finalists England in the quarterfinals of the European Championship.
Apart from penalties, Switzerland has only lost once since the last World Cup. They had won eight straight games in all competitions after defeating Hungary and drawing with Scotland and Germany in the group stage.
Murat Yakin's team did not make it to the Nations League finals the last time around, with three wins and three losses from a difficult group that included Spain, Portugal, and the Czech Republic.
However, a successful performance in Germany will increase expectations that they can make it this time.
Although Yakin's popularity did not increase before the Euro 2024 campaign,
Switzerland can challenge for a top-two place in Group 4 with his leadership restored and an experienced team at their disposal.
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