Denmark hungry for more wins

A DAY after a stunning win over eight-time champions Germany at the Women’s Euro, Denmark skipper Pernille Harder said the scalp had left her team hungry for more.

“It was a great win, but now we’re looking forward,” the 24-year-old forward said at Denmark’s soccer training centre in Bavel yesterday.

“It is not enough for us, just to win against Germany.”

Having conceded on three minutes, Denmark came back to nix Germany’s dreams of a seventh title in a row, with second-half headers by Nadia Nadim and Theresa Nielsen.

Harder, who plays for Bundesliga champions Wolfsburg, said this was the biggest triumph of her career.

“When I play in Germany, it is special, but it was so nice to win and reached the semifinals,” she said.

Germany were unbeaten at the Women’s Euro since July 3 1993, when they lost to Denmark 3-1 in the bronze medal encounter.

By making the Women’s Euro semifinals, Denmark have equalled their result from 2013.

Harder said it was due to hard work and good discipline in defence – “and a lot of speed in the offence”.

“We’re never satisfied, we always want to improve as a team and individuals. That’s the key,” she said.

Compared with 2013, when Denmark lost to Norway on penalties in the semifinals, this year’s team were more direct, Harder said.

She also has a new partner in the attacking line up front, the Afghanborn Nadia Nadim.

“She is a really good player. It’s nice to know there is a good hitter like her in the box,” Harder said. Nadim scored against Germany. In the semifinal, on August 3, Denmark face Euro newcomers Austria, who had won their group ahead of France and Spain, whom they beat on penalties in the quarterfinal.