#Danish national anthem

[falseandrealultravival]

Danish national anthem (beautiful country)

A quiet and calming national anthem. However, it should be remembered that this Nordic country was also one of the strongholds of the Vikings. I remember that it was the Vikings who ruled England. This country will also become mild.

デンマーク国歌（麗しき国）

静かで落ち着いた国歌。もっとも、この北欧の国もヴァイキングの根拠地の一つだったことは記憶に留めるべきだろう。確かイングランドを支配したのは、ここのヴァイキングだったと記憶している。国も丸くなるものだ。

[a-victorian-girl]

The Orchestra, Mrs. Hudson, is on fire!

Sherlock Live Suite, performed by The Danish National Symphony Orchestra, 2020 (X)

[b14augrana]

Scrubber

Your make your debut in a La Roja jersey

Barça Femení x teen!reader

pt. 7 masterlist

Warnings: mentions of injury / blood

A/N: bebita is back by popular demand!! i wrote this pretty late at night so excuse any grammar mistakes but on the bright side i included lots of vidić references. enjoy! 💝

‘Time goes by too fast,’ you thought, as you stood in the tunnel, sandwiched between Salma and Alexia. Only a couple days ago you were struggling to decide what you wanted for breakfast, and now you were minutes away from playing in a Euro qualifying match against Denmark.

The officials gestured to both teams, beckoning them out of the tunnel and onto the pitch, and Irene led the way.

Your nerves normally subsided when you played for Barcelona, but this was different. This was a place and team you weren’t used to, it wasn’t Barcelona.

As your team lined up and prepared to sing the national anthem of Spain, you could only think about one thing; how were you supposed to play?

That was another thing that made you miss Barcelona all over again. Back in Barça, you had Lucy, Mapi, Ona, Patri and Pina to encourage your advanced tackles. You weren’t very hopeful about the other Spain girls being so supportive.

You were deep in thought as the national anthem rung through the stadium, and the words erupted from your mouth mindlessly. After the song concluded, you followed Alexia off the pitch and shook your jacket off your shoulders.

Over the speakers in the stadium, you barely make out what the commentators were saying. It was something about you, that’s all you could tell.

“…making her international debut tonight at just 16 years old. She’s been pivotal for FC Barcelona this season, scoring a last minute goal in the Champions–” The rest was lost in the sea of roars coming from the crowd.

There was barely enough time for your coach to give her last word, and before you knew it, you were stood in the back with Irene, awaiting the whistle.

You quickly learned that today, Denmark had chosen to take a more passive approach to attacking. You were naturally aggressive in defence, so taking on this more patient style of offensive play wasn’t too much of a challenge.

It was different playing without Mapi. You knew she should’ve been there, playing in your spot because she deserves to represent her national team and enjoy it. It made you sad that the old management failed her and she couldn’t do that.

You missed her. A lot.

“(Y/N), mira la pelota!” Irene yelled, dropping back into the box. Your attention averted to the Danish strikers running towards you, and the midfielder preparing to put a ball through.

Pernille Harder blistered past you as soon as the ball had been kicked. It took you barely a second before you went after her, your legs drilling into the ground with every long stride until you were right beside her going shoulder-to-shoulder for the ball.

Irene was there, you knew that, but you didn’t want to get beaten and let Irene clean up your mess.

Pernille was getting closer and closer to the box with every touch she took, and though you knew she was a world class attacker, you would rather die than let anyone advance on goal.

You lurched, your foot making contact with the ball and cutting it out of her path, sending it somewhere to the sidelines. You slid across the ground on your hip, and it was like everything was in slow motion as Pernille stumbled over your outstretched leg and lunged forwards. The ball found its way to the right back, Oihane Hernandez, who was quick to clear it down the line for Athenea.

When there was too much proximity between a player and the goal, the decision to make was extremely straightforward for you; your body gets hit before the back of the net.

A quick look at the ‘NV15’ written on your wrist gave you all the motivation you needed to power through the first half and continue to produce tackles. When you walked off the pitch for halftime and retreated into the locker room, you slumped beside Irene and took a large sip of water.

“Dios mío (Y/N), fue increíble defender. ¡Tenemos suerte de que juegues para nosotras!” Leila said, smiling fondly at you.

You had properly met her a couple days prior, and immediately liked her. She was a defender, just like you, which meant you got to grow your circle of defender friends.

You returned her smile and mumbled a shy ‘gracías’ while Irene gave you a side hug, “Esa es mi nenita.”

Half time flew by. You were lost in a train of empty thought, too eager to get back on the pitch to concentrate on anything else. You practically jumped to your feet when your coach gave the last word and players started filing out of the locker room.

The second half did not start off much like the first one. Denmark ditched the passiveness for a more fierce approach, which showed from the minute they received the ball. Spain was only up by one goal and the 90 minutes was coming to an end.

Snerle ploughed through the midfield with the ball at her feet and sent a sharp through ball towards the flank. The pass was too quick for Leila to intercept, and the right wing charged past her, leaving Leila behind.

There was an obvious pass to make from the wing; a cross into the box for Pernille to touch and score.

Pernille realised this. Thomsen realised this. You realised this as well.

Pernille came sprinting from behind you into the box and the ball flew over the heads of Spanish and Danish players alike, almost about to land right at the captain’s feet.

The decision to make was extremely straightforward for you.

You can fix a broken nose, but if you let someone score a goal, your pride cannot be fixed.

There was Cata on the near post, and you knew there was no chance she could save a shot from such short distance.

You can fix a broken nose, but if you let someone score a goal, your pride cannot be fixed.

It was hard to not be acutely aware of Pernille right behind you, practically breathing down your neck, extremely desperate for a goal that could change the entire game.

You can fix a broken nose, but if you let someone score a goal, your pride cannot be fixed.

The ball was descending to the ground again, right in front of the goal, threatening to change the momentum of the game entirely.

You can fix a broken nose, but if you let someone score a goal, your pride cannot be fixed.

All it could’ve taken was one big step for Pernille to knock it in the back of the net. You threw yourself forwards and plummeted towards the moist grass as your head blocked the ball from meeting anyone in the box. It ricocheted off your head and bounced away as you fully fell onto your chest, and once again you felt Pernille lose her footing after tripping over your leg.

The last thing you felt before you were overwhelmed with pain in your face was a body landing on top of your head, forcing your face to collide with the ground. There was a barely audible crack, and then the searing pain came into effect. Nonetheless, you scrambled to your feet, clutching your face with your hands as you hunted for the ball and cleared it away from your box completely, which became near impossible as the pain became intolerable.

Liquid trickled down your arm, and the source wasn’t a mystery. You clamped your eyes shut for a moment and when you finally opened them, Alexia and Irene were in front of you with looks of horror on their faces.

There was a swarm of many other teammates, plus a worried looking Pernille standing beside you with a hand on your shoulder, apologising profusely.

You smiled at her, though it must’ve been a horribly bloody one. “It’s ‘kay, not your fault,” you mumbled, shaking your head.

“Árbitro, necesita ayuda de inmediato. ¡Mírala! Está sangrando por todas partes, está herida–” Alexia yelled, flailing her hands in the air. The referee was on the sidelines, sending the medical team onto the pitch.

“I’m fine, just m’nose..” you said, but nobody looked convinced. You wiggled past the bunch of women and made your own way off the pitch, heading for the bench.

As soon as you sat down, you were about to go to the locker room and claim your Hay Day login when multiple medics ran towards you, inspecting your nose and figuring out what to do.

To you, it was all worth it, because the last few minutes of the game were approaching and your broken nose had prevented a possible equaliser.

“You can fix a broken nose, but if you let someone score a goal, your pride cannot be fixed,” you told the medics when they asked you what happened, “…in the words of Nemanja Vidić.”

Spain came away with a win against Denmark, thanks to your little accident-causing header. Alexia almost sprinted over to you after the game to bombard you with a million questions, such as ‘How are you?’, ‘How long are you out for?’ and, ‘Are you even out? Will you get one of those special masks?’

When you had answered all her questions, you made your way over to the Danish side, where Pernille was standing. You nervously tapped her on the shoulder, and her expression was one of surprise when she spun around and saw you.

“Hi, Miss Harder, I’m (Y/N),” you said.

“I know you, don’t worry. Please, call me Pernille,” she responded.

“I was wondering if.. you’d want to, maybe, trade shirts?” you asked shyly, “I made sure my jersey didn’t get any blood on it, just for this.”

Your comment incited a laugh from Pernille and then, to your relief, a nod. “I’d love to trade jerseys.”

After you had swapped jerseys and you slipped the Denmark jersey over your head, you smiled at the woman. “Thank you so much, Pernille! I really loved playing with you, even the broken nose part. Thank you!”

You returned to Alexia as you were in the process of zipping up your jacket. “You have a quick press conference to go to, and then we can go back to the hotel,” she informed, and you nodded.

Post-match interviews weren’t your favourite. You normally just wanted to go home, have some dinner, and have the deepest sleep of your life. Today was a little different because Alexia was accompanying you.

“(Y/N), what can you tell us about the medical incident that occurred earlier? Is that a lesson for you?” a reporter asked, and you shuffled about in your seat.

“Not necessarily a lesson, because I will break my nose again if I have to, but definitely an experience,”you responded with a small smile.

“Alexia,” the next reporter spoke, “What are your thoughts about the incident?”

She was in the process of taking a sip of water when the question was asked, so her answer didn’t come immediately. When she placed the bottle back down onto the table and leaned closer towards the mic, she began to speak.

“Que… it is a testament to (Y/N)’s selflessness and dedication to football, no matter if it’s club or country. It shouldn’t be looked at as a bad accident, because it wasn’t an accident — it was a sacrifice.”

[futbol16]

 Never Say Die¹ • Steph Catley

Resquests: part 2 to the steph fic? Please a part 2?

Part 1/2 of part 2 for I Miss You

Part 2/2

Word count: 4,6k ( i had to cut it into two parts because tumblr wouldn't let me post it but im posting both rn)

The match of the knockout stage was an important one, just like the ones before and the ones to come. It was a do or die, you either win or you can wave goodbye to your world cup dreams. 

However, you were confident in the team and with Australia backing up the Matilda’s you gave the fans a performance to celebrate. 

The crowd was loud as Caitlin scored the first goal of the match in her home city, the amazing through ball from Mary that cut through six Danish defenders being endlessly praised. To all of your pleasures Sam had finally made her come back and joined in the 80th minute. And to top it all off the team ended the game with another goal this time coming from Hayley and an assist from you. 

You gripped Steph’s hand tightly as the team celebrated in the locker room after the game but you still made sure to be subtle about it, aware of the cameras and phones recording. It was one thing that your sister and friends knew about the two of you, but you didn’t want the world to know just yet.

Steph hid the beaming smile on her face in her shoulder as she glanced at you and you pretended not to notice as you made brief eye contact with the camera lens of Charli’s phone. 

The joyous screams and shouts of the team told you one thing, this world cup was going to be Australia’s. 

Screams filled your ears as you lined up in the tunnel behind your girlfriend and in front of Caitlin. The small hand in yours is enough to ground you and you made sure to keep your focus ahead and not let yourself look over to the French. You knew if you did the calm in your head would turn into chaos seeing your former Lyon teammates again. Even Wendie’s big head of hair at the front of France’s line up was just a blur to you and to keep yourself busy while you waited for the referee's sign, you turned to the small girl next to you. 

Upon doing so you notice her shivering a little, her other hand pulled tightly to her chest in an unsuccessful attempt to keep herself warm. Your mascot barely looked the age of 7 and in spite of her lips slowly turning purple, she was visibly buzzing with excitement.

Taking one last glance towards the referee you kneel in front of the small girl who turns to you in surprise but you give her a big smile and she reciprocates it with a toothy grin.

“Are you cold, love?” your voice is warm, and as it reaches Steph’s ears in front of you she thinks that alone would be enough to warm up the little girl. 

“Mhmm a little” she mumbles, suddenly becoming shy but you continue smiling at her comfortingly. She clasps her hands together behind her back as you let go of them for a moment and she stares at you with big eyes as you pull off your gloves.

Caitlin grins down at the two of you, her own hand swinging her mascot's hand back and forth lightly. The forward’s eyes lift as her friend turns slightly and Caitlin doesn’t miss the way Steph’s eyes soften at the sight of you conversing with the little girl.

“My name is Grace” she tells you, this time a bit more confident. 

“You have a beautiful name Grace” her smile only seems to widen and she fiddles with her fingers behind her back as she stares at you with big eyes.

“Could you give me your hand pumpkin’?” Grace untangles her hands from behind her back and you put your gloves on each hand. Just as you finish, the referee signals that it’s time to walk out and you stand back up to grab Grace’s hand again, exchanging another grin with her.

When the national anthems come to an end and the mascots make their ways off the field, the girls beside you aren’t surprised to see your team coat hanging off the little girl’s shoulders instead of yours. Your focus is elsewhere as you clap hands with the French team, greeting past teammates with a smile as they move on and you hug Wendie and Selma before you take your place up front with Emily and Mary. 

The crowd is loud, the sold out stadium is standing tall for the Matildas and you take a moment to look around and breathe in deeply before you zero out the noise of the audience and compose yourself as the whistle is blown. 

The game is immediately off to an intense start and Tony can tell within the first 20 minutes that this would be a long game. You only hope you would be able to progress farther than you have the last two times you played in a world cup quarter final with the Matildas. 

Alanna and Katrina are playing their hearts out in the back, clearing balls after balls and you wonder just how surprised the French must feel. 

Going into the game you were well aware of the fact that France are ranked the better team, you knew it, the girls knew it, Tony and the fans knew it and the French were more than proud of their title. However, the Matildas show just how much numbers and lists are worth by keeping almost equal possession of the ball. Surely, judging by Hervé Renard’s reaction he expected his team to score early on. 

That wasn’t going to happen any time soon though.

Australia is playing the game of their lives with Caitlin making run after run and Kyra’s master dribbling, not to mention Mackenzie’s saves. 

The team head off the field with their heads held high and the score stuck at a 0-0. The cheering and shouts in the stadium are loud as ever and it only boosts the team’s confidence. You wondered if the atmosphere was similar in the other stadiums they were broadcasting the match in. 

“Come on girls! We’re doing great and I’m proud of all of you” Tony doesn’t waste time as he starts his half time speech and you eagerly listen to what he’s saying, twisting your bottle’s cap in thought.

“But we need to be quicker. Our defense is good but so is theirs and we saw how quick they were with their counter attacks.” the coach turns to the board in front of him as he points out different plays he thinks Caitlin and yourself could make, also handing out instructions to the midfielders and clapping the rest on the back. Tony ends his speech and your focus is shifted to your favorite defender as she stands. 

“When we go out there again, I want you to believe you’re winners. I want you to hear the crowd, to see the massive amount of fans out here. I want you to connect with each other and I want you to play like this is the last game you would ever play. And I want you to enjoy it, enjoy it and show them why we’re here!” Steph’s captain's speech makes goosebumps rise over everyones skin and a bigger fire is ignited in the girls’ eyes, a deeper desire to win. 

You nod to your girlfriend as your eyes connect in the team huddle and Steph nods back at you as her lips curl a little.

With a final ‘Up the Tillies!’ and claps to the back, Australia steps foot on the pitch for the second half.

As much as you try to bring Tony’s speech to life,you fall short to Caitlin. Half of the opposing team knows you from your four years spent in Lyon, they know you and they know the way you play. If that wasn’t enough, the other half of them were your rivals while playing in the French division and so the PSG players are aware of your skills and tricks too. It makes it practically impossible for you to even get close to the goal because you’ve got at least three defenders on your back at all times. Which in return makes it difficult for Mary and Emily beside you, and Caitlin who’s probably ran half a marathon by now. 

“Fuck off Élisa!” tension is rising between you and the defender who only smirks at you in return. De Almeida had just made a goal line clearance from Mary’s shot and less than a minute after play resumed, she was tackling you to the ground.

It angered you so much. You wanted to play well and to help your teammates but you simply couldn’t. Your heart is beating out of your chest and you huff out another frustrated breath.

“Hey, come on. Don’t be so hard on yourself” Caitlin’s arm finds its way around your shoulders as Karchaoui is treated by the medics and you throw your head back at her words.

“Cait, I want to play and I can’t do anything with them on my ass! Élisa has a boot shoved up there at all times and I basically have no influence on the game.” you explain to her in a rush. It was currently nearing the end of added injury time and the score was still an underwhelming nothing.

You couldn’t keep track of the amount of saves your sister has made and the number of shots Hayley and Sam had on goal, you didn’t need to though because the French keeper was there to save them every time and so it didn’t matter much.

“We’re playing as a team, bug. Your struggle is my struggle, my struggle is your struggle. You just wait Y/N/N, we’ll show them what ‘Never say die’ means.” Caitlin with her wise words again. The older girl rubs your arm and shoots you an encouraging smile as you join your teammates in a drink break before extra time would start. She was right though, there was no blaming one person for the scoreless game. 

A hand settles on your lower back as you listen to Tony and the assistant coach, slowly sipping on your drink. You turn your head just a little to see and big brown eyes shine in the lights of the stadium, a look in them reserved just for you. 

“Look at them…” Steph trails off as she nods towards the stands and you follow her instructions, lifting your head.

A sea of gold and green flooded the stands, excited yells echoing in the sold out stadium, smiles on faces and a glint in the young girls’ and boys’ eyes. Signs are held high and you notice just how many of them have your name on them, Y/n Arnold. The Matildas fans are decked out in yours and your teammates jersey and you swear your heart calms its rapid beating. They believed in you, they were here for you and they have your backs and they had faith in you, in every single one of you. 

“It’s so beautiful” you whisper to the brunette, somehow still being heard over the noise of the fans. Steph’s eyes remain on you however, a small smile playing on her lips as she squeezes your waist. 

“So beautiful” she concludes as well and you turn to face her, nodding to yourself.

“We are winning it for them, yeah” you’re rewarded with a proud smile and a determined nod from your captain. Eventually you retake your position on the field but you exchange a few words of encouragement with Mackenzie before you do so. And then you’re back in the game.

Fouls and corners are handed out one by one but none result in goals for either team, even Alanna’s own goal had thankfully been disallowed because of Renard’s foul on Caitlin inside the box. The look on the blonde’s face was priceless and if you weren’t fighting for your life in this match you would’ve laughed at her. 

Courtnee’s fresh legs instantly make an impact as she is subbed in for Hayley but it goes just wide and before you know it the second half of extra time has started. 

“Nugget, come on” Mackenzie has an arm reaching for you as you slowly walk towards the side lines, absolutely exhausted but you wouldn’t back down until your team would win.

You lean into her side as she wraps and arm around you and your sister momentarily rests her head on yours. The goalkeeper's presence brings you a sense of homely comfort and she smiles down at you while leading you towards one of the physios. You join Caitlin on the grass and the two of you get a quick massage to your hamstrings just to relieve some tension and for the pair of you to be able to continue on for the possibility of a penalty shootout. 

The French are attacking again but Mackenzie manages to tip the ball over the crossbar with a magnificent save and the crowd roars. Then not long after Steph takes a corner that Caitlin connects with but it’s deflected by the other team’s defense. 

This looks and feels like a game that is destined for penalties. 

Your eyebrows almost raise to your hairline as you see the French goalkeeper be subbed off and Durand replacing her. You look towards the rest in surprise and your eyes connect with Mary’s who’s sporting a similar expression to yours.

When a second later another substitution is announced you whip your head around to see the number 5 glowing in red. A near victorious smirk graces your lips as you watch De Almeida walk off angrily and Caitlin cannot help but laugh at your antics. Élisa being taken off makes your job a lot easier, if not for anything else at least she wouldn’t be there to annoy you and try to rile you up for the last few minutes of the match.

Your smirk is washed off your face when the whistle is blown and the referee instructs the two teams to line up for the penalty shootout.

A shallow breath leaves your mouth knowing just how much pressure would be on each of your teammates who would have to step up and take the penalty. You trusted Mackenzie enough to know she’d do her best but you were still nervous for the next shot. 

You stand between Alanna and Mini, anxiously shifting from foot to foot as Selma Bacha stands behind the ball. She pulls her leg back, fires and- a shout leaves you as you clap for your sister, Mackenzie has dived after the ball and made an immaculate save. Caitlin next and you squeeze Alanna’s waist.

“She’s got it” you breathe out watching as the forward doesn’t even look in the keeper’s eye.

“OF COURSE SHE DOES!” the blonde screams next to you when Caitlin celebrates and you feel yourself gain even more confidence in the team as the crowd erupts in cheers. 1-0.

Diani steps up, she takes it and Mackenzie barely has time to react. Your heart breaks a little for your sister who gets up from her knees with a deep breath. 1-1.

Steph, she’s been absolute class with penalties this whole world cup and all of you are certain she will fool Durand, easy peasy. She takes it, it goes to the right, almost an exact copy of Selma’s shot and the French saves it. Steph steps back with slight disappointment and your heart squeezes painfully at her misfortune. 1-1. 

Wendie Renard slots it past Mackenzie easily and you clench your jaw in frustration but manage to give your sister an encouraging nod. She’s got this. You’ve all got this. 1-2.

Your heart speeds up as your captain places the ball down, but just like with any other teammate, you all believe in her endlessly. And she doesn’t disappoint, how could the Sam Kerr ever disappoint? It goes past Durand’s outstretched hands and the net ripples. Sam celebrates, finally having a good touch on the ball after the past 126 minutes. 2-2.

Le Sommer, your former teammate reenacts Wendie’s goal but inverted it and the brunette in goal stays on her knees for a second to collect herself. The girls next to you are just as anxious, the whole line of Matildas is practically swaying left and right. 2-3.

“Come on Mare!” you shout after the girl as she walks by and you watch proudly as she gets her payback on Durand, shooting left as the French dives right. The fans are loud and you don’t blame them, knowing at this rate you’ll lose your voice before you get to finish the penalties. 3-3.

Perisset steps up, shoots- oh it hits the goalpost! You can’t contain the squeak that comes out of your mouth but you try to downplay your celebrations. It seemed like the goalpost was on Australia’s side tonight. 3-3.

And you take back that last statement immediately as Mackenzie’s shot hits the other goalpost. 

“Fucking hell” Alanna curses next to you and you can only agree with her when you see your sister deflate like an overused ball. 3-3.

Geyoro’s ball is almost saved and your mouth is hung open ready to cheer for Mackenzie but it goes just past her fingertips. The crowd boos as the French celebrate. 3-4. 

Katrina detaches herself from you and she takes her place behind the ball. It’s a rocket of a shot and the french keeper can’t stop it from going in. Australia screams along to your team’s celebrations and you grin as Mini mimics a rocking motion as she celebrates. That goal was dedicated to Harper. 4-4.

Just one more to go.

Karchaoui and it bounces off the crossbar and into the goal, Mackenzie’s fingertips just grazing the ball. The French team is going crazy next to you and you have to take a second to compose yourself and cling onto that strand of hope. 4-5.

 If Tameka misses the next one, Australia’s world cup dreams are over. They would be over and you wouldn’t even have silverware to give to the country. You shake your head to get rid of those thoughts, reminding yourself that you were professional athletes and were meant to be able to deal with these situations.

And deal with it is what Tameka does, sliding in that ball in the bottom left corner. The stadium goes wild and so does your team, all clapping her on the back and shouting praises at her.

She had just saved your asses and with what an amazing goal she saved it with. 5-5.

This had been the seventh penalty. At this point there’s no ‘just one more to go’ in your mind, with how it has been so far these penalties were going to be never-ending. 

Lakrar doesn’t waste a second after the whistle is blown and Mackenzie goes the wrong way as the ball goes down the middle. The players in blue are celebrating like they know they’ve just won it all and you swear you can feel De Almeida’s devilish smirk directed towards you, even though you’re faced away. 5-6. 

 Your sister is disappointed in herself, that much is clear but she stops you just as you move away from your teammates. 

“Take a deep breath Y/n, you know you can do it, we all know you can. I believe in you sis” she tells you sincerely as you look up at her and you bite the inside of your cheek at her words. Your time to give a reaction is cut short as the referee urges you to take your place behind the ball.

The fans are up on their feet, hands gripping the cold metal railing in distress and you feel all the nerves settle in even more. If you make it, you’re still in the game. If you don’t…you don’t even want to think about it. And to be the cause of your country’s loss, you’d never forgive yourself for that.

You get a few more seconds to get your shit together as the referee assesses Durand who has stepped off her line and you take in a deep breath, just like Macca told you to.

A wave of adrenaline washes over you and as the referee blows her whistle again you pull back and strike the ball with all your power. You don’t move an inch from your position at the penalty spot and your eyes follow the movement of the ball, the fans leaning forward in their seats. It goes straight towards the keeper and you feel your knees buckle underneath you, you’re ready to give up but then it curls harshly, the ball not even spinning as it hits the top right corner. 

It’s silent for a second, at least for you as blood rushes to your ears but then you’re back and you’re screaming and you are jumping into your sister’s arms and the fans are jumping up and down with you.

6-6. 

You saved your country from a loss. And a smile resides on your face as Kenza Dali takes her own shot, if she misses- well you know you’re going through, you’re confident in the girls.

Mackenzie dives and she pushes the ball wide, screaming towards the stands as she celebrates, the rest of you copying her. But your celebrations are short lived as the referee blows her whistle, instructing Kenza to redo the penalty. 

“What the fuck for?!” you yell in fury, upset that she might’ve just ruined this moment for your sister. When she announces that Mackenzie has stepped off her line your shoulders drop. As opposed to you, your sister stays calm and collected, she’s in complete control of the situation and you straighten up at that. She believed in you and you believed in her. 

“Just wait for it” Alanna turns to you, the defender is just as confident in your sister as you are and she shoots you a smirk. If anyone could save this crucial penalty, it was Mackenzie Arnold.

Dali strikes the ball thinking she might outplay your goalkeeper as she sends it in the same path as the previous one but Mackenzie hunts it down like a prey and Kenza holds her head as your sister stares down the referee. The cheeky bugger! Once the save is awarded to her she turns to the crowd yelling before she joins the rest of you. 6-6.

Courtnee glances back at the team once before focusing her attention on the ball. You know she’s going to score, she never missed a penalty before.

The crowd in the stadium are loud, already clapping her on before she even takes the shot. She runs up, leans forward and pulls her leg back, when it comes back down it hits the ball with power and it sails through the air.

Durand dives and the ball is there, the ball is there but Durand doesn’t get a hand on it- IT GOES IN! 7-6.

The Matildas are through to the semi-finals! If Australia was loud before, well they’re deafening now as they go wild in their screams of cheering.

Courtnee takes off in a sprint and the rest of you follow her as you scream her name and dog pile each other, a massive sense of relief and joy overflowing in your systems. The subs run in too and Courtnee finds herself in the middle of the group hug, eyes welling up. 

“YES VINEY!” “FUCKING YES MATE!” 

The atmosphere, you’ve never felt this before and your team celebrates wildly, jumping up and down, screaming and happy tears running down some of your cheeks. 

“Oh my god, we’re through!” your disbelieving tone makes Hayley chuckle and she takes your face into her hands, the smile on her face larger than you have ever seen it be.

“We fucking are, we are fucking winning this shit!” she brings you into a bone crushing hug and you let out a teary laugh at her choice of words.

You back away for just a moment, eyes searching for a tall brunette and when you spot her you see her also looking for you. You’re in your sister’s arms in an instant, tightly clinging on to her as she spins the two of you around, laughs escaping both of your mouths as you hug her head close to your chest.

“Macca, you’re my fucking hero!” you pull back just enough to see her face and she breaks out in a toothy grin, her eyes shining with pride and ecstasy and just about every emotion possible as she lets you back down to your feet. 

“No, you are my hero!” she counters as she cups the back of your neck, leaning down slightly to be at your height. Her words mean the absolute most to you, and the proud look on her face means even more, just like the proud look on yours- it makes both of your hearts swell.

A confused glint flashes in Mackenzie’s eyes as you take her gloved hands into yours but you only continue grinning as you get down on one knee, bowing your head in front of her gloved hands. Those hands have been the ones to save Australia’s ass so many times and you give your sister the praises she deserves even if it’s in the form of a silly bow. Mackenzie throws her head back with a loud watery laugh but the picture taken of the two of you makes headlines the following morning, newspapers filled with Vine’s diVine  game winning goal and Mackenzie’s amazing saves.

Celebrations are taken to the changing room and then to the bus until half the team passes out in exhaustion and the last 20 minutes of the bus ride back to camp is silent, hushed whispers the only thing heard from the few that are still awake, yourself included.

You finally had the chance to talk to your one and only, and that’s exactly what you were doing. 

Your arm is lazily hanging over Steph’s right shoulder as she whispers to you, her body turned towards you. You’re playing with the ends of her hair behind her back but you give her all your attention as you listen to her, the smile on your lips never leaving your face. 

“You did so good today, pretty girl” it makes her face flush and she looks away for a second, a massive smile taking over her features and you have to stop yourself from giggling at the lovesick look in her eyes.

“But I missed that penalty-”

“It doesn’t matter, you played amazing all throughout, Stephy. And that half time speech, my god!” you cut right in and tell her just how it was. The defender drops her head to your shoulder and then tucks it into the crook of your neck as your arms wrap around her to bring her closer.

“You were amazing too” she murmurs into your skin and you bury your nose into her hair.

Mackenzie watches the interaction from just a few rows in front of you, the ghost of a smile on her lips as she turns to Caitlin next to her.

“Why didn’t you tell me they’d be so cute?” she’s met with an incredulous look and a beat of silence passes before the forward next to her deadpans. 

“Because of your initial reaction!?” 

“Oh..right. Forgot about that.” 

The following days your training sessions are focused on defensive work and quick counter attacks. You were getting ready for the semi final against England, ranked second in the world.

That meant close to nothing to your team. After all, the Matildas came into the tournament as the underdogs and now they were one of the last ones still standing. Anything was possible.

[memeapple2]

Metalocalypse starters

"They're trying to tell you that the guy got his face smashed into the hovercraft, that's what they're trying to tell you."

"I would rather have my brain scooped out with a melon-baller than to miss the opportunity to deliver the various cheese snacks to my beloved _____."

"We are here to make coffee metal. We will make everything metal. Blacker than the blackest black times infinity."

"This is, I believes, called food libraries."

"It's called a grocery store, ya douchebags! I'm sorry about douchebags. I got... got low blood sugar."

"Alright, here's the deal: we have to do our own shopping so we can make our own dinner like regular jack-offs do. Now you're all in charge of putting together one dish. AND DON'T JUST BUY BOOZE! That ain't food!"

"What do you mean, "booze ain't food?" I'd rather chop off my ding-dong than admit that!"

"You'd rather chop off your ding-dong than not drink?"

"2 cups of rice." [pours rice into measuring cup, then through the shopping cart] "Brutal."

"Okay hold on now, so you're telling me that you put these little guys in boiling water and they shrink, and they turn red, and they die? That is the most metal thing I ever heard in my whole life. High five!"

"Guess what, you are a GMILF. That is a grandmother that I would like to -"

"Lemme guess - not "heavy" enough, not "tuned low" enough, not "brutal" enough?"

"Oh, right. That dude that you headbutted? The guy was a Danish Prince. Can you believe that?"

"Friends, we're... we're not used to the whole apologizing thing. We're not professional apologizers. We're... musicians. So, we wrote a song for you, a new national anthem. We took the lyrics straight from your Finnish folklore book of necronomic spells."

"Oh, I hate Finland. I need a hundred beers. I need a hundred beers. Exactly... exactly one hundred. Thank you."

"Hey I ain't no therapist, but I hate your mustache."

"I realize I don't even know the name of my father. I'm proud. I proud to know that I don't know that."

"It's a nice night for riding around in a cube!"

"Black out more. So you don't have to remember. The life. That you haaave... There."

"BACK OFF JACK OFF!!"

"All right, all right, popscockles we cans haves."

I have a dad! I fucking love my dad!"

"There isn't anything I wouldn't do to hang with Mickey Mouse!"

"We got you your favorite thing! Disappointment!"

"Yeah, but we such screw-ups that he would be sewn back together wrong."

"Can you please give me the laser pointer? It does not belong to you."

"My video was banned from music television, cause you could see my junk... through my jumpsuit."

"Hey Dogface, why don't you go and... eat some dog food, and eat your own throw-up, 'cause you're a dog... face."

"That's what families is, peoples you hates."

Hey, did you know that Norway has the lowest murder rate in the whole world? The lowest in the world?

Wait a minute, you mean that the murder rate in Canada is higher than Norway? Oh my god this place is lame! Lame place!

The fact that my parents had sex in order to create me makes me want to be buried alive.

"I'd rather die than go to heaven."

"Well, uh, I will tell you this, that's a good problem to have. That's a problem you want to have. It's a good one."

“How do you value your what you contribute of to at the workforce and second part, at which can you most can’t the least?"

“Bleach is mostly water, and we’re mostly water. Therefore, we are bleach.”

"Candy, tastes like chicken if chicken was a candy."

"I smell burning plastic. You do know.. that burning plastic isn't a snack right? You do know?"

"Yeah it's scream activated lighting. You walk into a room 'wheres my keys?' AAAAARRRRRRRGGGGGGHHHHHHH!! There they are!"

“Use your fancy degrees assholes!”

"You mean astronaut camp is a lie? I’ve been telling everyone you’re going to be an astronaut! Now you’re making me look like an asshole!"

"What're those wooden things... chairs?"

“We’ll give you half……OF NOTHING!"

“Hey! Who peed my pants!” “I think you might be the culprit in this particular… mystery” “How the hell could I pee my pants when I’m standing right here!?”

"What's that burning smell? Did I leaves the lunchables in the microwaves again?"

"No, we're not-that's not even a repsonse to what I was saying. We're arguing two different things here."

"Don't say die SAY HAMBURGER TIME! Please say hamburger time when speaking to us."

[skovenshemmeligheder]

tagged by @galapagosvagrant

last song i listened to: national anthem by lana del rey 🔥🔥🔥🔥

favourite place: læsø, been going there since i was a kid. a place i can truly unwind and never grow tired of

favourite book: i'll cheat and say the witcher series, and his dark materials because that series was the first to really get me hooked on reading

currently reading: host by peter james, it's really good

favourite tv show: avatar the last airbender. also been watching tbe hell out of mtv awkward for a while

favourite food: idk!!!!!! i really like tteokbokki, but well cooked danish food will always get me going

i tag @cowgirliee @blackcloudscollector @unichrome @connor235universe @nutsacktorturer @sigmachad @basedjucheist

[thepastisalreadywritten]

COPENHAGEN, Denmark (AP) — Denmark’s prime minister proclaimed Frederik X as king on Sunday after his mother Queen Margrethe II formally signed her abdication, with massive crowds turning out to rejoice in the throne passing from a beloved monarch to her popular son.

Margrethe, 83, is the first Danish monarch to voluntarily relinquish the throne in nearly 900 years.

Many thousands of people gathered outside the palace where the royal succession was taking place, the mood jubilant as the Nordic nation experienced its first royal succession in more than a half-century, and one not caused by the death of a monarch.

Wearing a magenta outfit, Margrethe signed her abdication during a meeting with the Danish Cabinet at the Christiansborg Palace, a vast complex in Copenhagen that houses the Royal Reception Rooms and Royal Stables as well as the Danish Parliament, the prime minister’s office, and the Supreme Court.

Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen next proclaimed Frederik king from the balcony of the palace before thousands of people — subjects of a kingdom where the trappings of royalty are mostly symbolic in today’s modern era of constitutional democracy.

Frederiksen read the proclamation three times, which is the tradition, as Frederik stood beside her wearing a ceremonial military uniform adorned with medals.

He was then joined on the balcony by new Queen Mary and the couple’s four children, and the crowd spontaneously sang the national anthem.

“My hope is to become a unifying king of tomorrow,” Frederik said. “It is a task I have approached all my life.”

“I want to return the trust I meet. I need trust from my beloved wife, you and that which is greater than us,” the new king said.

Frederik then kissed Mary and another great cheer rose from the crowd.

The abdication document was earlier presented to Margrethe as she sat at a massive table covered in red cloth around which royals and members of the Danish government were seated.

Frederik sat beside her.

After signing it, Margrethe rose and gestured to Frederik to take her place.

“God save the king,” she said as she left the room.

The abdication leaves Denmark with two queens: Margrethe keeps her title, while Frederik’s Australian-born wife becomes Queen Mary.

Frederik and Mary’s eldest son Christian, 18, has become crown prince and heir to the throne.

Christian handed Margrethe her walking stick as she departed from her abdication ceremony.

Citing health issues, Margrethe announced on New Year’s Eve that she would step down, stunning a nation that had expected her to live out her days on the throne, as is tradition in the Danish monarchy.

Margrethe underwent major back surgery last February and didn’t return to work until April.

Even the prime minister was unaware of the queen’s intentions until right before the announcement.

Margrethe had informed Frederik and his younger brother Joachim just three days earlier, the Berlingske newspaper wrote, citing the royal palace.

People from across Denmark gathered outside parliament, with many swarming streets decorated with red-and-white Danish flags.

Several shops hung photos of Margrethe and Frederik, while city buses were adorned with smaller Danish flags as is customary during royal events.

Many others across the kingdom of nearly 6 million people followed a live television broadcast of the historic event.

The royal guards’ music band made their daily parade through downtown Copenhagen, but wore red jackets, instead of their usual black, to mark major events.

Copenhagen resident Rene Jensen, wearing a replica of a royal robe and a bejeweled purple crown on his head, said that he expected Frederik to be “a king for the nation, representing us everywhere.”

The last time a Danish monarch voluntarily resigned was in 1146, when King Erik III Lam stepped down to enter a monastery.

Margrethe abdicated on the same day of January that she ascended the throne following the death of her father, King Frederik IX, on 14 January 1972.

Denmark’s monarchy traces its origins to 10th-century Viking king Gorm the Old, making it the oldest in Europe and one of the oldest in the world.

Today, the royal family’s duties are largely ceremonial.

Australians also turned out on the streets of Copenhagen to celebrate one of their own becoming queen.

“I think it’s good that she’s not from royalty and has a normal Australian background. We can relate more to that, because she’s from a middle-class background, and we are too,” said Judy Langtree, who made the long journey from Brisbane with her daughter to witness the royal event.

A survey — commissioned by Denmark’s public broadcaster DR — published Friday showed that 79% of the 1,037 people polled by the Epinion polling institute said that they believed Frederik was prepared to take the reigns and 83% said they thought his wife Mary was ready to become queen.

The survey margin of error was 3 percentage points, DR said.

[rabbitcruiser]

Denmark became a constitutional monarchy by the signing of a new constitution on June 5, 1849.   

Constitution Day

Constitution Day in Denmark is observed on June 5 to commemorate the day that marked the signing of the Danish Constitution along with its four revised editions occurring on the same date. Since the closest thing Danes have to a national day is Constitution Day, it is honored in the full spirit of patriotism. June 5 marked the birth of Danish democracy and is celebrated annually with secular services, speeches by local politicians, the raising of the national flag, and church congregations, to name a few events happening throughout the country.  

History of Constitution Day

Constitution Day is a very special day for Denmark. After spending decades in an absolute monarchy, from 1660 to 1849, the first constitution was signed by King Frederick VII in 1849, which finally declared Denmark a constitutional monarchy — a system allowing room to exercise power within a prescribed legal framework only.

The constitution was revised for the first time in 1866 and then, after the women’s suffrage movement in 1915 when women were allowed to vote, the 1849 constitution went through another revision. A third revision took place in 1920 followed by the final version, signed in 1953, which is still followed without further updates. Since there is no process of amendment, the entire document of the constitution has to be updated at every new addition or extraction of the clauses.

Interestingly, almost all updates of the constitution have occurred on June 5, which adds more significance to the date. The most recent edition, after eliminating the Upper Chamber, has created a unicameral parliament. From permitting women to inherit the throne to decreasing the percentage of votes by women necessary to change the constitution (from 45% down to 40%), June 5 is one of the most important days to celebrate in Denmark.

Not entirely an official public holiday, shops and businesses are shut down after midday and workers get a half-day off. Political organizations and associations meet for secular services, the Dannebrog is hoisted in the sky, and the general public spends the day in collective merriment.

Constitution Day timeline

1848

Danish Constituent Assembly

The assembly votes for a Danish Constitution, formalizing the transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy.

1849

Danish Constitution

King Frederick signs the first constitution declaring Denmark as a constitutional monarchy.

1915

Women’s Right to Vote

Following women’s suffrage, the Constitution is revised on June 5.

1992

European Convention on Human Rights

Danish law adopts the European Convention on Human Rights.

Constitution Day FAQs

Is Constitution Day a public holiday?

Constitution Day has remained a half-day off work from 1891 to 1975. Even today, it’s not an official holiday but, more or less, observed like one. 

What is a National Day in Denmark?

The Constitution Day, on June 5.

What happened on Constitution Day?

Denmark was declared a constitutional monarchy.

How to Observe Constitution Day

Learn about Denmark: The happy, art-loving country is truly a package full of surprises. Use this day as an opportunity to learn about the attractions in Denmark and, if you’re convinced, perhaps plan your next trip to see it!

Join in the celebrations by the embassy of Denmark: Attend the events that the Danish embassies participate in, such as playing the national anthem, holding rallies, and raising the Danish flag high up in the sky. It’s always fun to take part in another nation’s celebrations!

Replicate Danish cuisine! Have you ever had a morsel of the Danish hot dog? Or the classic ‘Stegt flæsk’ that’s also the country’s national dish? Danish pastry is a must-try! Search for a recipe of traditional Danish food to cook and enjoy on this day.

5 Facts About Denmark That Will Blow Your Mind

It has the oldest flag in use: Denmark’s flag is the oldest in history, having come into Danish possession during the Battle of Lyndanisse in 1219.

Bluetooth was the name of a Danish king: Bluetooth on your phone was named after the second king of Denmark, King Harald Bluetooth.

Coast longer than the Great Wall of China: You cannot spot a point in Denmark where you won’t see the ocean. It stretches along the coast at a distance of 4,545 miles. That is longer than the Great Wall of China!

Danes don’t say “please”: There is no word for “please” in the Danish language.

Happiest country in the world: It has been named the world’s happiest country on several occasions and tops the UN World Happiness Report all the time.

Why We Love Constitution Day

It freed Denmark from absolute monarchy: Living under an absolute monarchy is not ideal. June 5 marks the day when Denmark transitioned from being tied to supreme aristocratic authority to enjoying a modicum of freedom.

It’s one of the most luxurious countries in the world: Thanks to the abolishing of absolutism, Denmark is open to all foreigners who love its royal, down-to-earth castles, the luxurious lifestyle, and clean, green, and eclectic neighborhoods.

It has a strong social welfare system: According to the Danish Constitution, Danes are offered comprehensive social welfare including unemployment-, disability-, old-age-, and survivorship benefits at virtually no cost.

Source

[beardedmrbean]

The new government's programme includes the introduction of a citizenship test as part of its plans to tighten the requirements for obtaining Finnish citizenship or permanent residence in Finland.

In its programme for government published last month, Finland's right-wing ruling coalition said it plans to introduce a citizenship test as part of efforts to tighten rules around the granting of permanent residence and citizenship permits.

"Passing a citizenship test and a language test will be made a requirement for naturalisation," the programme states.

The Finnish citizenship test will be modelled on similar evaluations used in other European countries.

Minister of the Interior Mari Rantanen (Finns) told Yle that her ministry has started work on drafting the citizenship test, but the process will take time.

Examples from across Europe

Among the EU's 27 countries, nearly half — or 13 — currently have a citizenship test. They include the Netherlands, Spain, Greece, Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, France, Germany, Denmark, Czech Republic, Hungary and Estonia.

In addition, Norway, Switzerland and Liechtenstein — which are not members of the EU but are part of the Schengen area — also have a citizenship test.

In general, the tests feature questions about the history, culture, society and population of the host country. The assessments may also ask about living in a democracy and other aspects of a particular country's politics, such as in Estonia and Greece, or about the country's national anthem, as in Latvia.

In each country, the test is organised by an official body.

Rantanen previously told tabloid Ilta-Sanomat that the exams could be organised by community colleges, for example.

From multiple choice quizzes to interviews

In an interview with Yle soon after taking office, Rantanen said that her ministry will perform a "u-turn" on immigration and refugee policies during her term, and she reiterated that position this week.

"I am glad that we are reaching the pan-Nordic level, and that we will not be the only country in the Nordic region with lax rules," she said.

Among the Nordic countries, the citizenship test is used in Denmark and Norway.

The Danish test has 45 multiple-choice questions about the country's society, culture and history — 35 of which are based on provided study material while 5 questions deal with topical issues taken from Danish media and politics. There are also five questions on Danish values.

At least 36 correct answers are needed in order to pass the Danish test. In addition, they must correctly answer at least four of the 10 questions that are not included in the study material.

The citizenship test in Norway has 36 questions, of which 24 must be correct. Norwegian authorities also offer the option of completing a social studies course (75 hours) with a final exam in Norwegian.

Luxembourg also provides the option of taking a social studies course instead of the citizenship test.

In Slovakia, there is no formal citizenship test but the required language test does ask basic information about the country.

Study material helps participants

In almost every European country where a citizenship test is mandatory, participants are provided with study material.

In Spain, the test consists of 25 multiple-choice questions selected from a list of 300, which can be practised in advance with an app.

The tests are also often multiple-choice, although one notable exception to this is France, where the 'test' is conducted as an interview.

In Europe, the citizenship test is often multiple-choice, but one exception is France, where the exam is conducted as an interview. Study material is also provided.

In addition to the citizenship test, each country has other conditions which must be met if the applicant is to receive citizenship or a permanent residence permit — such as a certain income threshold.

Although Austria has no citizenship exam, people applying for citizenship or permanent residence must have lived continuously in the country for at least 10 years and prove their intentions to stay.

Rantanen noted that the proposed citizenship test is also intended to help speed up integration into Finnish society.

"The idea is for people to integrate into Finland, to learn our language and our social system. With integration, the citizenship and language tests should not prove to be too difficult," Rantanen said.

Citizenship test previously proposed in 2019

The possibility of Finland introducing a citizenship test has been mooted before.

In 2019, then-Interior Minister Kai Mykkänen (NCP) presented a package of measures he said was aimed at preventing and combating crimes committed by foreign-background individuals, especially sexual offences.

The draft bill at the time stated that "the practices of other countries in the use of citizenship tests will be studied and a test suitable for Finland will be introduced".

However, the citizenship test was not advanced during the following government's term in office.

[albonium]

wouldn't it be nice to hear the danish national anthem tomorrow too

[mosraev]

Lyrics through the decade 8/11

I've decided to collect all the songs I've made through the last decade and share my favourite snippets with you guys. The pictures for the backgrounds will (as much as possible) be pictures I've taken the same year as the lyrics were written. The full lyrics may or may not be made official someday.

Part 8; 2020

Ah, yes - the year of the virus. One would think I started creating more songs this year and true, I did create a bit more songs than the three years before but it was still mostly done in the two weeks I was a summer camp (we still attended but with more restrictions).

More info under the line

Stay creative, my fellow foxes 🦊💚

Song 1 (pic1+2); Frejas Sale

While I the year before had written a song about a roman goddess I got the urge to write about a Norse one this year more specifically Freyia (Freja in Danish) So this turned into a national anthem ish song taken inspiration from Norse mythology.

Featured lyric:

Original (pic1): Jætte, gud, menneskebarn, fra alf til svale

Vi er alle forbundet i verdnerne ud fra Frejas sale.

Translated to English (pic2); Jutton, asir, son of man, from alf to swallow.

We are all connected in worlds originating from Freyia's hall.

Song2 (pic3+4); Nephtys

Having now written two Goddess songs I decided it would be fun to make it a triology so I searched for random Goddesses and found Nephtys from Egyptian myths. So I wrote a death song and tbh it might be my favourite of the triology.

Featured lyric:

Original (pic4); Hvis hun kom til dig, ville du tage hendes hånd

og klippe alle jordlige, finde fred,

når du tjekker ind på dødens hotel?

Translated to English (pic3); If she came to you would you take her hand,

cut all bond to this eathern land and find peace

on the hotel of death?

Song3 (pic 5+6); Moselille

This year I wrote quite a few half done songs in the second week of my summer camp trying to really capture a feeling I wanted. This is one of them inspired by a little stream in the forest behind the school. The whole thing turned very 'Bridge to Terabithia' but I dig it still.

Featured lyric:

Original (pic5): Moselille, lille vand du port til fantasien.

Bring min båd sikkert til din havn.

Translated to English (pic6); Little marsh, little bog, bridge to fantasy land.

Bring my boat to your harbour safetly.

Song 4 (pic7); Butterfly

What is this? An english song again after this long? Why yes, I'd not planned on making one at this time but when I had an art block with writing danish songs I sat down, watched a butterfly flew by and wrote this one. I've already submitted the final version (x) you can listen to if you like.

Featured lyric: Now all about you seems so grey.

When did the light in you fade away?

Song5 (pic8); Broken

The one song I wrote after summer camp this year and it is my one song I've written so far about my experiences with my ex (he broke up with me over the phone 1,5 prior to this) ... let's just say that the amatonormativity specially the internal one was strong and way stronger than the romantic feelings on my end).

Featured lyric: In the end I didn't need you to fix me,

cause I was never broken.

[beautiful-lively]

the danish national anthem isnt actually supposed to be played without a large group of people singing too fast for the music, but for vesti ill forgive it

[sloshed-cinema]

Godland [Volaða land / Vanskabte Land] (2022)

It’s startling to remember just how recently Iceland declared full independence. For the people in the small village where Danish priest Lucas is tasked with starting a new church, life as a remote territory of Denmark is a mixed bag. Anna, the elder daughter of a Danish man living there, yearns to return to Denmark, viewing life in her adoptive home as tough if beautiful. Ragnar, brought on to shepherd Lucas across the rough Icelandic backcountry and help build the church, grew up resentful of the occupying nation. And things aren’t too rosy for Lucas, who handles the journey with all the grace of an elementary schooler hauled along on a day hike by his parents and struggles to guide his flock. Ever met with Ragnar’s ire, the two wrestle at a wedding reception, their speech falling on uncomprehending ears. But it’s Ragnar who gets the last word in that regard: though he views Danish as an ugly, tiresome language (Lucas thinks Icelandic has too many words for ‘rain’), he does understand and speak it thanks to weekly indoctrination growing up. His final confession is an elaborate blend of introspection and insult, goading Lucas into action. Ragnar dies by the hand of the colonizer, but retains a certain defiant independence.

Perhaps the one thing Lucas can cling to and the one thing he has to offer is his photography. Lugging heavy, bulky equipment across the harsh landscape, he seeks out beauty where he can and finds it in the environment and people around him. He captures his translator Tulkúr shortly before a tragic river-fording, and his love-interest Anna on the beach. Godland approaches this photographic sense comprehensively, interspersing composed pseudo-portraits that follow the emotional arc of the film. Every frame of the film is vignetted as would be an old photo, preserving these moments. This is the claim of the opening passage, found wet plates taken by a priest. But it becomes more literal in a series of images capturing the decay of the body of the horse and of Lucas following his murder. The seasons rotate, the Danish national anthem serenading its fallen son. The whole work is a document, a face preserved by silver nitrate.

THE RULES

SIP

Someone says 'church'.

A photograph is exposed.

It starts to rain.

People singing.

BIG DRINK

Calisthenics.

Evidence of a volcano.

[eurovision-revisited]

2001 Copenhagen - Number 22 - Anita Lerche & Simon Munk - "Mit hjerte det banker"

Two performers, one who sang at Parken Stadium, the other who has contributed to a Danish Eurovision entry. Not this song - it didn't make it through to the final five of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2001 unfortunately. But Anita Lerche sang the US national anthem at Parken when Brian Nielsen fought Mike Tyson while Simon Munk was the co-writer of Drama Queen for Denmark in 2007.

Singing Mit hjerte det banker (My Heart Beats) - a song that's all about that urgent, first full heart-pounding you get when you just catch a glimpse of the One - there's a distinct lack of chemistry. The distance between them is notable, and much of the song is sung to camera with the stolen glances few and far between. Are they even talking to each other?

Nevertheless the dreamy quality and haunting melody of the song push it up in my rankings. Their vocals are quality and harmonise well together. The arrangement is pared back and gives the entire song an air of mystery. The mood is... cool. Even as the lyrics speak of warmth and heat. Perhaps they're both playing it slow.

After this single DMGP experience, Simon continued song-writing. Apart from Drama Queen, he contributed to other DGMP entries.

Anita took a path far less travelled. On a holiday in India in 2005, she fell in love with traditional Punjabi music. Since then she has almost exclusive written and recorded music that reflects Indian culture, especially Punjabi culture. She's tried to break into Bollywood and has actually (like many national finalist) recorded Danish dubs of Disney films. For her work both musical and charitable in India, she's won huge numbers of awards

Here is her most recent released recording, from earlier this year. This is Anne Lerche singing the Sikh sacred hymn Mil Mere Pritma Jiyo for International Women's Day

[tattooyeol]

i am fuming, theres a video circling around of the Danish goalkeeper getting a green laser pointed into his face/eyes during the penalty shot that handed england the victory

[msawesomeworld]

I mean if there is someone no one wants to win the euros, it’s the Delta variant, brexit idiots who got to the finale only through the help of a shitty ref, and fans who, I kid you not, had the audacity to boo during the other teams national anthem. I’ll qoute my grandpa about this and world war 1: “it was a mistake that the British won!”