Denmark is further ahead at the World Cup in Qatar than the Dutch national team, expects Lasse Schöne. The 36-year-old NEC midfielder was also present at the 2018 World Cup in Russia, where he reached the eighth finals with Denmark. “Denmark is an outsider. There are also some expectations among the Danish people,” said Schöne.
Denmark finished second behind France in the final tournament in Russia in a group with Peru and Australia. “It was a highlight in my career,” Schöne says Broadcasting Gelderland. “We went out in the round of 16 on penalties against Croatia, which eventually made it to the final. That was a real tournament the way you want it. This is different. A lot has already been said about the conditions there in Qatar.”
Schöne is not part of the 26-man World Cup selection of national coach Kasper Hjulmand and will therefore follow the final tournament at home on the bench. “It is now a bit of a crazy period for a World Cup. Normally you can look into your garden in the summer. Now you have to sit inside with a sweater on. But it is always something beautiful, a World Cup.” The 51-time international indicates that he will not follow the World Cup very intensively. “I will watch matches of great teams and of course the Netherlands and Denmark. My son will watch a lot and I will occasionally be there.”
Schöne expects his home country to be very successful in Qatar. “They did an excellent job in qualifying. They are an outsider. There are also some expectations among the Danish people. I hope that Denmark will participate for as long as possible.” Finally, he does not have to think long about the question of who will come further, Denmark or the Dutch. “Denmark. And now especially now that Jasper Cillessen has not been selected.” Denmark will start the World Cup on Tuesday afternoon with a group match against Tunisia, followed by matches against France and Australia in Group D.
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