Denmark qualified for the semi-finals of the European Championship at the expense of the Czech Republic on Saturday. The team of national coach Kasper Hjulmand was 1-2 too strong in Baku for the team that eliminated the Dutch national team in the previous round. Although Christian Eriksen left the training camp after his cardiac arrest in the group match against Finland, he is the reason the players have risen above themselves and the team spirit has grown.
After the final whistle, Pierre-Emile Höjbjerg sat crying with his knees in the ground. He was immediately comforted by the rest of the players and the images went viral. Hjulmand said on Saturday that he still thinks about Eriksen every day. “He should have been here, I still think of him every day. But we now carry him in our hearts to Wembley,” Hjulmand emphasized. “It is fantastic to see how much compassion and love these players give to each other. we do have a symbol, we are happy to remind ourselves why we love football, what football can mean in the world.”
???????? ??????????? ???????????????????? ???? Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg ??@hojbjerg23 | @dbulandshold | #EURO2020 pic.twitter.com/TPZ577HfLz
— UEFA EURO 2020 (@EURO2020) July 3, 2021
“The incident with Christian did something to the group,” acknowledged Simon Kjaer. “We know we can trust the people around us and that a team-mate will help you if you’re in trouble. We can keep pushing because Christian is doing well. He knows we play for him. Our goal was to make it to Wembley and we have now achieved that.”
“But I’d be lying if I said we’re already happy. We can enjoy this for a while, but in four days we have to be back at the next game.” Denmark will face England in the semi-final in London on Wednesday, which was too strong for Ukraine in the last quarter-final 0-4. In a possible final, also at Wembley, Italy or Spain will be the opponent.
On Saturday, a photo of Eriksen surfaced for the first time since his major surgery. The midfielder made time during lunch with his wife to take a picture with a young fan. He posted the photo with Eriksen on Instagram and the photo immediately went around the world. Eleven-year-old Bjørn Bindzus didn’t know what hit him when he ran into Eriksen on Tidvilde Strand.
“I was nervous and speechless,” Bindzus told local media. “When I asked for a photo, he immediately said, ‘Yes, no problem’. He looked healthy and well. It was nice to see him. I am proud that I did and I am very happy.”
Football zone keeps you informed about everything about EURO 2020
Curious about the current position, the competition program and much more European Championship news? Click here!