Sports Pundit
Football

Euros Semi-Finalists Denmark Still Inspired by Eriksen

From left, Denmark's Jannik Vestergaard, Joakim Maehle and Thomas Delaney celebrate after Kasper Dolberg scored his side's 2nd goal, during the Euro 2020 soccer championship quarterfinal match between Czech Republic and Denmark
From left, Denmark's Jannik Vestergaard, Joakim Maehle and Thomas Delaney celebrate after Kasper Dolberg scored his side's 2nd goal, during the Euro 2020 soccer championship quarterfinal match between Czech Republic and Denmark

Denmark head coach Kasper Hjulmand says his side are still thinking of Christian Eriksen after securing their passage to the Euro 2020 semi-finals.

The Danish won 2-1 over the Czech Republic with first-half goals from Thomas Delaney and Kasper Dolberg clinching victory.

Patrik Schick pulled a goal back for the Czechs after the break but Denmark held on to secure a semi-final spot against England.

Denmark have been riding a wave of emotion since Eriksen collapsed in their opening game after suffering a cardiac arrest, which Hjulmand said they were still feeling.

“I definitely feel it,” he said. “The whole world felt in that second the fundamental things in life and in football.

“The values came through at that moment and over the next few days. I am still thinking about Christan every day. I am glad he survived but he should have been here for all our games.

“We carried him all the way to this match against the Czechs and to Wembley. The Danish team showed the right way to do things.

“We are happy and proud that we could remind ourselves what football can do in the world.”

Joakim Maehle produced a spectacular assist for Dolberg’s goal, while Delaney headed home from a corner.

Delaney added: “What we’ve been through, it’s hard to describe. It wasn’t our best game but maybe it was about that time that we struggle.

“We have a great atmosphere within the team, so why not take the next step again?”