Monday was a miraculous day for Denmark. After all the players and coaching staff went through due to Christian Eriksen’s terrible mid-game cardiac arrest against Finland, De Rød-Hvide secured a spot in the Euro 2020 round of 16 on the final day after appearing to be destined for an early exit.
Kasper Hjulmand’s side took on Russia in the final game of the group stage, entering this clash with zero points under their belt. Having lost 1-0 in their opening game against Finland and 2-1 against Belgium in their second tie, Denmark were in need of a miracle in order to secure progression.
And that’s just what they got! Their 4-1 triumph over Russia, coupled by Finland’s 2-0 defeat against the Red Devils, means Schmeichel and Co. leapfrogged their Scandinavian rivals into the runners-up spot, one of two automatic tickets to the knockout stages.
Mikkel Damsgaard broke the deadlock shortly after the half-an-hour mark before Yussuf Poulsen doubled Denmark’s lead a minute before the hour mark. Artem Dzyuba’s 70th-minute penalty gave De Rød-Hvide a scare, but quick-fire goals from Christensen and Mæhle secured a comfortable and decisive three points.
The full-time celebrations were heartwarming, but what was even more touching was Kasper Hjulmand’s tribute to his star playmaker. The national team coach revealed in his post-match press conference that he was wearing a special ring in honor of the Inter Milan ace, who has since been released from hospital to recover at home.
“I’ve never worn jewellery in my life. This is the first time I’m wearing jewellery. There’s a little football here and it’s Christian who is here with me,” Hjulmand told Denmark’s TV3+ (as per the Metro).
“I had him with me all the way. I think about him a lot and he is – as I have always said – the heart of our team and we were fighting on for his sake today.
“He is a great inspiration to us.”
While it remains uncertain as to whether Eriksen can resume his career as a professional footballer, simply seeing him alive and well is enough for the masses. He recently underwent successful surgery to fit a heart-starting device, known as an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD), in order to regulate abnormal heart rhythms. He has thus been discharged and will support his national team from home as they look to overcome Wales in the last 16.
Go to Source
Author: