Now more than ever, Wilbraham & Monson Academy’s Val Enghave ’23 loves the red and white colors of his country’s flag.

Val competed for the U19 Danish National Team in July, helping Denmark to the bronze medal at the European U19 American Football Championship in Austria.

Val, who played guard and linebacker for the Titans last season, started at inside linebacker for Denmark, which lost to Austria in the opener before topping France in overtime in the third-place game.

WMA’s opener is Sept. 24 at Hamden Hall Country Day School in Connecticut at 1 p.m.

Quotes

Val on the opportunity to play for his country: “At first I wasn’t sure if I wanted to try out for the Danish National Team, but after I played in the Danish finals (for the regular season), which we won, the national team coach came over to me and said I needed to try out for the team. He sold me and said it would be the experience of a lifetime.”

Val on Denmark beating France to win the bronze medal: “We wanted to beat France really bad and get the bronze medal. All game, neither team scored. It was frustrating. But at the end when we hit that field goal, it was exciting and I was happy.”

Val on his overall experience of competing for the Danish National Team: “It’s almost impossible to describe. It’s a feeling of pride, being able to represent your country.”