Will history repeat itself for the Schmeichels?

Monday 05 July 2021 11:41

A majority of Manchester United fans will be supporting England in Wednesday’s Euro 2020 semi-final, but there is one club legend who most certainly will not – and for very good reason.

As one of Denmark’s historic champions in 1992 and with his son Kasper now a star of the team, Peter Schmeichel is desperate for his homeland to prevail beneath the famous arch at Wembley Stadium. 

An excellent team in their own right - ranked 10th in the world - the Danes are determined to beat an England team that features United team-mates Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Marcus Rashford, as well as our prospective new signing from Borussia Dortmund Jadon Sancho. 

United legend Schmeichel is excited for Wednesday's semi-final and admits he no longer feels nervous about his son being involved in such huge occasions, because he trusts in his proven ability as a top-class goalkeeper. 
Kasper Schmeichel and Denmark will face England in Wednesday's semi-final.
“I have learned not to look at the games with my son in it but look at it with Kasper in it and be confident enough that he is good enough to be there, and therefore I don’t have to be extra nervous because he is in there,” Peter explained on Good Morning Britain earlier today. 

“You have to realise you are playing a good team when you reach the semi-final. Any team you play will be a quality team, there is no doubt about that. We could have played Italy or Spain, they are equally as strong, but I think what we have proven in our campaign is that we are a strong team as well. And we can be a danger to anyone. We have a chance against anyone and that type of confidence I am absolutely sure the team will take that into this game on Wednesday.” 

Wednesday’s big game could require a penalty shootout and that would provide a unique challenge for goalkeepers, as Schmeichel experienced with Denmark in their Euro ’92 semi-final of course. 

Asked how his son Kasper would feel about a shootout, Peter said: “I am sure he would feel the same as I did – that it is yet another challenge. You have to deal with that and it is part of the job you’ve chosen to do. You know how significant it is and how big it is but at the end of the day you can only do so much as a goalkeeper and he will be prepared for it.

“I think one thing he will think of is the last time Denmark was in the European Championship semi-finals, Denmark did win on penalties so he can bring that into it.”

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