Yesterday The Lovely Reds embarked on a journey down Wembley way. Amidst the noise and expectation that always accompany the pre-match hype we fought through the crowds and held our flag aloft.
Although the flag we held bore the colours red and white, those synonymous in England for the St. George's cross, for our Scandinavian counterparts the colours come together in a blaze of red to form the Dannebrog.
This evening rather than make our camp with the English fans, The Lovely Reds pitched up with the Tuborg swilling, Hygge chasing, opinionated Danes.
There is a word for the Danish fans who, like The Barmy Army, follow their national side around the globe. That word is 'Roligan', a play on words of the notorious 'hooligan' because the Danes wished to reject the negativity and animosity which pervaded European football in the 1980s.
In true Roligan spirit we draped ourselves in Danish red, head to toe with scarf, shirt, flag and hat as much a display of pride in the team as a way to ward off the bitter chill.
For the Danes, the Roligans have come to represent so much for a nation who number a mere 5.5 million, yet whose national side has had considerable success in recent history.
The highlight of Denmark's footballing achievements has to be their Euro 1992 title with a side that included two all time Danish and European greats, Peter Schmeichel and Michael Laudrup.
The story goes that having failed to qualify for the tournament in the group stages, Denmark were a wild card entry after the violence and turmoil in Yugoslavia saw them disqualified from the tournament.
The 1992 tournament is in itself a fascinating moment in footballing history. Teams included a reunified Germany and Commonwealth of Independant States representing the dissolved Soviet Union, whilst many regard it as the last tournament of that era, the last to be played between 8 teams and the last before the back-pass rule came into effect and changed the dynamic of the game.
In a way not too dissimilar from Greece's shock in Euro 2004, Denmark defied the odds seeing off the Netherlands en route to a memorable final with Germany in which nearly everyone expected them to lose.
The memory of this epic tournament is yet to die amongst the Roligans whose analysis of their current side can't help but be compared to that great side.
The Danes were unlucky not to qualify for Rio this summer. The turning point in their qualification hopes coming in their encounter with group leaders Italy last October. In a closely fought contest Bendtner scored two headed goals to give Denmark the lead, no mean feat considering the great Gigi Bouffon still stands between the Italian posts. Yet they were ultimately undone in the 91st minute after Aquilani's knee added the definitive touch to a shot at goal and sealed Denmark's fate with a recently waxed kiss.
Yesterday's match offered this good Danish side a chance to show England and Europe that their exclusion from the world's greatest sporting event was a little unlucky, whilst for England a much needed match to test Hodgson's options against sterner opposition.
The game was mostly fought in midfield between two teams who kept their defensive discipline. It was interesting to see so many representatives of Liverpool FC, reflective of their resurgence in the league and Sterling rightly received man of the match for a bright performance characterised by moments of skill which livened up an otherwise dull affair.
Hodgson has the opportunity to use successful partnerships throughout his side, between Johnson, Sterling, Sturridge and Gerrard we believe he could be on to a real winner in Rio. On the other side Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana looked to have that subconscious understanding that allows them to break fluidly together, Lallana producing the cross for Sturridge's winner, a fine header that cut back across Casper Schmeichel who was until then proving impossible to beat.
In midfield Jack looked good making his signature surges and although his link up with Rooney stuttered, this is more down to the United forward's generally poor performance. No doubt he will be taken to Rio, however given his role at United under Ferguson and now Moyes, lone striker is no longer his most effective position.
The problem for England will be its defence, considering the centre-back pairing of Cahill and Terry is not an option as Terry is a racist twat. You can generally rely on Cahill, but we thought Smalling looked a little suspect at times and regardless of his potential he doesn't move in a way that calms the heart or silences the doubters.
Oxlade-Chamberlain came on with around 15 minutes to go, something which we feel will characterise his involvement in Rio. Being strong in more than one position can sometimes be a disadvantage as Hodgson seems unsure where to start the Arsenal man. Wenger too has implemented the Ox in central midfield yet he has proven too effective out wide to be discounted as an out-and-out winger.
As for Denmark, Celta de Vigo's Kron-Dehli looked bright on the counterattack, a player of real international quality. Kron-Dehli along with defender Daniel Agger and goalkeeper Kasper Schmeichel are the players we would love to have to bolster England's chances in Rio.
Bendtner, despite being talismanic at times for the Danes (don't forget those two goals against Italy) looked a drift last night, being forced to come deep to receive the ball and failing to beat the last defender during two particularly menacing Danish counterattacks.
All in all The Lovely Reds had a blast being a Roligan for the night. With the beers flowing, the confused reappropriation of English chants ('You only sing when you're singing, sing when you're siiiiingiiiing') and feeling bizarrely patriotic when we joined arm in arm for the national anthems the Danish team would have been a solid favourite for second team....if only they qualified for Rio.
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