World Cup 2018: Italy felt so sure of qualifying they booked hotel… now Denmark are set to take it

The Azzurri lost 1-0 to Sweden over two legs meaning they will miss their first World Cup in 60 years.

HUMILIATED Italy felt so sure of World Cup qualification that they had already booked their accommodation for Russia 2018.

So not making it through to the finals for the first time in 60 years was a spanner in the works, to say the least.

But now their misfortune has proved Denmark’s gain – with them set to take over the Azzurri’s booked digs, according to Danish site Sport.

Asked if they will jump into the rooms reserved for the Italians, Claus Bretton-Meyer, the CEO of Denmark’s football association, said: “The big countries have settled in the bigger venues, and so we need to see what we can get.

“I’m sure it’s also there.

“Now there is a big difference between the preferences of the Danes and Italians.

“But it is clear that we can end up in a situation where we must get what we can get, says the director.”

Denmark marked their passage to the finals with a 5-1 thumping of the Republic of Ireland.

Christian Eriksen smashed in a hat-trick to down Martin O’Neill’s men.

Even Nicklas Bendtner came off the bench to score.

Denmark’s FA had reportedly been scouting where to stay for a long time – but had not settled on a definitive spot.

Meyer said they needed to take stock of how simple it would be for fans to follow the team round.

Senior vice-president Kim Hallberg added: “We have really good experiences from South Africa in 2010, where we found a nice place to have a base camp and flew to matches from there.”