×

We've got news for you.

Register on SowetanLIVE at no cost to receive newsletters, read exclusive articles & more.
Register now

Eriksen love and compassion carried us, says Hjulmand

Denmark set up meeting with England

Denmark players celebrate and book their spot in the semi-final after their victory against Czech Republic at Baku Olympic Stadium, Azerbaijan on Saturday.
Denmark players celebrate and book their spot in the semi-final after their victory against Czech Republic at Baku Olympic Stadium, Azerbaijan on Saturday.
Image: Tolga Bozoglu

Baku- Denmark have reached the Euro 2020 semi-finals on the back of an unbreakable bond generated by Christian Eriksen's cardiac arrest in the early stages of the tournament, coach Kasper Hjulmand said after Saturday's 2-1 last-eight win over Czech Republic.

Midfielder Eriksen collapsed during their opening 1-0 defeat by Finland on June 12 and is recovering after an on-pitch life-saving intervention by team mates and medical staff before he was rushed to a nearby hospital.

"I still think about Christian every single day and that he should have been here," Hjulmand told a news conference after the Danes booked a semi-final clash with either England or Ukraine at Wembley on Wednesday.

"We are happy that he survived and we carried him in our hearts all the way to this match and to Wembley. The fundamental values of football came through in those seconds and those days and we all remembered why we started to play football.

"Christian has been a part of the team for a long time as this is not something we've built overnight and he is a big part of this result."

Midfielder Delaney, man of the match after scoring Denmark's opener against the Czechs with a thumping header, added: "Christian said last night how proud he was of us. He’s been our best player for many years and we carry him in our hearts. Making him proud is something that makes me feel happy."

England were playing the Ukrainians in the last quarter-final later on Saturday in Rome. Italy will meet Spain in the other semi-final tomorrow at Wembley, with the final set for the same venue on Sunday.

The Danes dominated the first half and were two up at the break after Kasper Dolberg added a superb second before Patrik Schick netted for the Czechs early in the second period and set up a tense finish in Baku.

Hjulmand conceded his team were on the back foot in the second half but lauded the players for soaking up the Czech pressure in the closing stages.

"We have an intense style of play based on attacking football which we are very proud of," he said. "I think we lacked some of that intensity today and we suffered at the end but what a great way to suffer." 

Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.

Speech Bubbles

Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.