Denmark suffer friendly defeat by Shakhtar
Sunday, January 23, 2011
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Denmark followed up a 3-0 friendly win against Qatar with a 3-2 loss to FC Shakhtar Donetsk as their preparations continued for the 2011 UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals.
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Denmark lost 3-2 to FC Shakhtar Donetsk in the latest friendly instalment of their preparations for hosting this summer's UEFA European Under-21 Championship finals.
Having won 3-0 against their Qatari counterparts in the first fixture of their winter training trip to Dubai, Denmark found UEFA Champions League round of 16 contenders Shakhtar a different proposition altogether. Mircea Lucescu fielded a strong side and they duly took the lead on the half-hour through Răzvan Raţ's penalty. Denmark needed just three minutes to respond as Nicolaj Agger soon turned in a Daniel Wass cross, but Yaroslav Rakitskiy put Shakhtar back in front two minutes from half-time.
Denmark drew level again in the second half when Mike Jensen converted from the spot, yet they were unable to conjure a third response after Alex Teixeira found the net for the Ukrainian titleholders. Keld Bordinggaard's side will open their Group A campaign against Switzerland on 11 June, while Shakhtar are set to face AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on 16 February and 8 March.
