So Denmark it is for Ireland.
The general perception since former Spain captain Fernando Hierro drew the two teams together has been generally positive on these shores as the prospect of facing Italy or Croatia faded into nothingness.
Denmark of course were seeded for the 2018 FIFA World Cup playoffs and are ranked above Ireland, but in terms of a more realistic hope of making it to Russia next summer, the consensus is that this was the best possible draw for Ireland from the four potential options. We'll find out more about our opponents from Danish journalist Morten Crone Sejersbøl, sports editor of BT, on tonight's Football Show.
And of course, there is past history between Ireland and Denmark on the football field.
The Head-to-Head record
It's been just over a decade since the last meeting between the two countries, with Steve Staunton's Boys in Green winning 4-0 in Aarhus on August 22nd 2007 in a friendly. According to the BBC, the scoreline "flattered" Ireland somewhat.
Robbie Keane and Shane Long - hopefully a good omen for the out of form latter - both scored twice to earn that win.
Ireland's Robbie Keane celebrates scoring ©INPHO/Donall Farmer
But you'd have to go back all the way to April 1993 for the last competitive meeting which ended in a 1-1 draw in a 1994 World Cup qualifier. Paired together in that qualifying group, Ireland and the Danes couldn't be separated in the first group game either as both sides drew 0-0 in Copenhagen.
Overall, Ireland has the edge in the 13 matches between the teams so far, winning five and drawing five. The Danes' last win against the Irish came back in 1985 as the famed Danish Dynamite side of the '80s ran out comfortable 4-1 winners in Dublin en route to the 1986 World Cup.
FIFA World Cup Qualifier, Lansdowne Road, Dublin 13/11/1985 Republic of Ireland vs Denmark Michael Laudrup of Denmark ©INPHO/Billy Stickland
Denmark's Key Players
Undoubtedly, Tottenham attacking midfielder Christian Eriksen is the key man with his vision and set piece ability - and he's scored in Denmark's last five competitive games and a total of eight during the qualifying campaign (only Poland's prolific Robert Lewandowski scored more in that group).
Elsewhere in the squad, Nicklas Bendtner's name jumps out, perhaps not for the right reasons after Premier League struggles for Arsenal. Currently, he's on the books of Norway's Rosenborg after departing Nottingham Forest, although he's the current top scorer in the Danish squad with 29 international goals in 77 caps.
Romania's Ovidiu Hoban, left, battles for the ball with Denmark's Thomas Delaney and Pione Sisto, right, during the World Cup Group E qualifying soccer match between Denmark and Romania at Parken stadium in Copenhagen, Denmark, Sunday, Oct. 8, 2017. (Jens Dresling/Ritzau Foto via AP)
Thomas Delaney of Werder Bremen's surname of course also jumps out to us but more importantly, he has developed into one of their key men in midfield, scoring the opener in the 4-0 thrashing of eventual Group E table toppers Poland as well as a hat-trick in a 4-1 victory in Armenia.
Leicester City's Premier League winning keeper Kasper Schmeichel - and of course son of Euro 92 winner Peter Schmeichel - is now No 1 in goal, while ex-Serie A centre back Simon Kjaer captains the side.
One of the young players to watch is Kasper Dolberg of Ajax who was part of the team that reached last season's Europa League final and scored six goals en route as well as scoring 16 goals in the Dutch league as well.
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