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Craig Bellamy says he is "hurting" after admitting Denmark were worthy winners against his Wales side in Copenhagen.
A Ben Davies own goal along with Gustav Isaksen's strike earned Brian Riemer's men a 2-0 victory over Wales at Parken Stadium.
It leaves Bellamy's team winless in six matches in 2026 and without a point from their away Nations League A double-header with Portugal and the Danes.
Despite the loss, Bellamy remains confident his side will improve by playing against Europe's elite on a consistent basis.
"I'm really hurting. When you see an athletic team run over you a little bit... but then, will we improve? I think we will," said the Wales head coach.
"This team will get better, these players will keep improving. There are young ones coming in well after I'm gone.
"For me now it's just focus, two more games to go. How can I help you improve for the next two games but also how can I improve?
"I'm probably more loving when I'm losing, I'm probably more of a pain in the backside when I'm winning."
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Wales must be ready 'when the heat comes'
Denmark dominated early on and Mikkel Damsgaard fired against the post shortly after Isaksen had a goal disallowed for offside.
Despite an improvement from Wales after the opening half an hour, they were ultimately undone from two set-pieces.
"I said to the players before the game, 'this is going to be tougher than Portugal'," Bellamy added.
"It was a different challenge but a very difficult one. The best team won overall.
"As disappointed as I am with that, the result I probably think was fair."
Nations League: Wales well beaten by Denmark - reaction
They will at least have home advantage at Cardiff City Stadium as they prepare for the remainder of the current international break, with matches against Norway on Thursday, 1 October, and then Denmark the following Sunday.
Captain Davies felt Wales were being taught some harsh lessons in what is their second stint in the top tier of the Nations League.
"It was a tough game. They are a good team and made it a hard game for us," the Spurs defender told BBC Match of the Day Wales.
"It was really frustrating to concede from two set-pieces. The Nations League games are against the best teams in Europe, it was always going to be tough.
"If you're not at 100% then you are going to get punished at this level. We have to regroup and go again on Thursday."
Despite the setback in the Danish capital, winger Sorba Thomas echoed Bellamy's sentiments.
"Thankfully we've got two games at home still to come. We'll have home advantage so we need to show a reaction," he told BBC Match of the Day Wales.
"We are just going to get better. We are a small nation but we've got big hearts and beliefs and for us it's about showing that more on the pitch."
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Thomas wants Wales to show 'heart' in Cardiff double-header
