After a stirring tribute to Christian Eriksen and a тАЭmagicalтАЭ atmosphere created by their fans, DenmarkтАЩs players want to pay their supporters back at the European Championship.
They have one last chance to do so when they face Russia in Copenhagen on Monday, knowing a win could still be enough to see them through to the next round at Euro 2020.
The Denmark team on Friday was still processing the many emotions from its game against Belgium at Parken Stadium the previous evening when a raucous crowd paid tribute to Eriksen with a minuteтАЩs applause after 10 minutes. Denmark took an early lead in the game but Belgium launched a second-half comeback to win 2-1.
тАЭThat atmosphere and that support, it was something IтАЩve never experienced before,тАЭ Denmark midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg said. тАЭIt was exceptional and very, very powerful. So many people have supported us. Now all you want to do, for everything in the world, is to pay them back with everything you have. And thatтАЩs what weтАЩre going to do on Monday.тАЭ
The Belgium game was DenmarkтАЩs first match since Eriksen suffered cardiac arrest in the opener against Finland and had to be resuscitated with a defibrillator. Even after the loss, the Danish players were serenaded and given a standing ovation by the entire stadium.
Denmark coach Kasper Hjulmand said it was тАЭoverwhelmingтАЭ to feel the support from fans, all the way from the teamтАЩs training base outside Copenhagen to the stadium.
тАЭTo come into Parken and feel the energy, it was magical,тАЭ Hjulmand said. тАЭThe stadium helped us deliver the way we did yesterday.тАЭ
Denmark lost to Finland 1-0 after play was resumed following a 90-minute break. But even with zero points after two games, Denmark still has a realistic chance of advancing from Group B.
A win over Russia could be enough if Belgium beats Finland.
тАЭNow we have to finish the job on Monday,тАЭ Hojbjerg said.
Hjulmand said he could scarcely believe that his team has zero points after finishing with 23 shots in the first game compared to one for Finland. Against Belgium, the Danes had 22 total attempts to six for their opponents.
тАЭOf course itтАЩs about having that final sharpness and putting the ball in the net,тАЭ Hjulmand said.
The Danish soccer federation said Thursday that Eriksen will be fitted with an implantable device that can function as both a pacemaker and defibrillator. He has been in touch regularly with his teammates and sent them a message of support after the Belgium game.
And thereтАЩs no doubt that Denmark will continue playing for him.
тАЭHeтАЩs with us all the time. He is with us here,тАЭ Hojbjerg said, touching his chest.
This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text.
