Chelsea, Juventus stars included in Denmark squad for Malta women qualifier

The 2017 Women’s European Championship runners-up have selected a star-studded squad for their upcoming 2023 Women’s World Cup qualifications which include an away fixture against Malta on April 8, at the Centenary Stadium (kick-off: 6pm).

Denmark will face Azerbaijan on home soil in their final game in this international double-header, on April 12.

The Danes, ranked 15th in the world, will bank on the number of gifted talents for both games including captain Pernille Harder, who plays for Chelsea, and Juventus pair in Matilde Lundorf and Sofie Junge Pedersen.

Harder is currently involved in two-horse title race in the Women’s Super League as the Blues lead by 41 points, one point above Arsenal.

On the other hand, Juventus are in the driving seat to secure a fifth Serie A title and have the upper hand in the quarter-finals of the Women’s Champions League after beating giants Lyon 2-1 in the first leg, last week.

Denmark’s squad includes also Real Madrid pair Sofie Svava and Caroline Moller who played in last week’s first ever Clasico matchup in the Women’s Champions League against Barcelona.

Coach Lars Sondergaard has picked up other important players such as a handful of England-based players such as Arsenal’s Simone Boye, Manchester United’s Signe Bruun, Sanne Troelsgaard of Reading and West Ham United’s Emma Snerle together with Milan’s Sara Thrige.

The Scandinavian side are at the back of a 1-0 defeat to Italy during the Algarve Cup, back in February.

In these World Cup qualifiers, Denmark have collected six victories in as many matches as they are well-placed for a spot in Australia/New Zealand 2023.

SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS

Kathrine Larsen (Klepp IL, Norway), Katrine Svane (AGF), Maja Ostergaard (Thy-Thisted).

DEFENDERS

Stine Ballisager (Valerenga, Norway), Simone Boye (Arsenal, England), Katrine Veje (Rosengard, Sweden), Matilde Lundorf (Juventus), Luna Gevitz (BK Hacken), Karen Holmgaard (Turbine Potsdam, Germany).

MIDFIELDERS

Sara Thrige (Milan, Italy), Sanne Troelsgaard (Reading, England), Emma Snerle (West Ham, England), Sofie Pedersen (Juventus, Italy), Kathrine Kuhl (FC Nordsjaelland), Janni Thomsen (Valerenga, Norway), Sofie Svava (Real Madrid).

FORWARDS

Olivia Holdt (Fortuna Hjorring), Caroline Moller (Real Madrid, Spain), Pernille Harder (Chelsea, England), Stine Larsen (BK Hacken, Sweden), Rikke Madsen (Madrid CFF, Spain), Signe Bruun (Manchester United, England), Mille Gejl (BK Hacken, Sweden).