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Tag: Denmark

  • Euro 2020: Ref must explain England penalty – Denmark midfielder

    Euro 2020: Ref must explain England penalty – Denmark midfielder

    Tottenham midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg was left frustrated with the manner of Denmark’s Euro 2020 semifinal defeat to England.

    The Danes lost 2-1 thanks to a controversial penalty in extra-time.

    Hojbjerg later said: “What is there to say after this round? Not much has been said. There has been a bit of a look at the penalty kick that might have been.

    “When I stood next to him (Raheem Sterling), I did not think there is a penalty kick, because I thought the ball was pushed, and then he fell before there was contact.

    “But it all happened quickly, so I may be wrong now. It annoys me that many say that it may not have been there and that VAR is not taking over.

    “I can not comment on something I have not seen, but I hope the ref does the right thing. That’s why we have him and VAR.

    “From now on, maybe you should let the ref go in front of a microphone or a camera so they can speak. If there is no VAR on, errors can occur, but when there is a VAR, they must be allowed to stand here afterwards.

    “How do they feel? What were they thinking? What was their view on it all? It is easy as a player to have to answer one thing and another and not have to comment, but sometimes you would like to hear from the referee himself what he thought.

    “I’m not angry, but it puts things in perspective a bit. I generally think that the level of refereeing has been really nice and really high, so that way I do not complain.”

  • England reach first Euros final, to battle Italy at Wembley

    England reach first Euros final, to battle Italy at Wembley

    England battled back from a goal down to beat Denmark after extra time on a truly memorable night at Wembley and reach a first major men’s tournament final since 1966.

    Captain Harry Kane’s 105th minute goal, after Kasper Schmeichel had saved his penalty, secured the Three Lions a place in the Euro 2020 final against Italy on Sunday.

    Mikkel Damsgaard had stunned England fans in the 60,000 crowd by putting the Danes ahead with a sumptuous free-kick – the first goal Gareth Southgate’s side had conceded at Euro 2020.

    Denmark keeper Schmeichel denied Raheem Sterling from close range before England equalised when captain Simon Kjaer put past his own keeper trying to stop Sterling from connecting with Bukayo Saka’s low cross.

    On a night of huge excitement and tension, Schmeichel then produced a full-stretch save to keep out Harry Maguire’s header and he also denied Kane and substitute Jack Grealish before Kane’s winner.

    It is the first time England have reached the European Championship final.

    Kane’s goal means the Tottenham forward has equalled Gary Lineker’s long-standing record of 10 goals for England at major tournaments.

  • Harry Kane warns Denmark: I’m feeling unstoppable

    Harry Kane warns Denmark: I’m feeling unstoppable

    England captain Harry Kane is warning Denmark that he is approaching his best form.

    The Tottenham striker started slowly at Euro 2020, failing to score in the group stages.

    He has three goals in two knockout stage matches, netting against Germany and twice against Ukraine.

    Now England take on the Danes at Wembley on Wednesday for a spot in Sunday’s showpiece final at the same venue.

    Asked about his form, Kane said: “To be honest, probably not. My game understanding, in terms of what I need to do to not just help myself but also the team, is probably at its best in my career so far.

    “It is not a problem. If you try to stop me that’s OK because we have got other players who are just as good, who are going to cause problems. It is not the case where you stop me and you stop us as a team. We have plenty of threats, plenty of options, plenty of different ways of playing.

    “From my point of view it is just assessing that on the pitch, seeing what formation they are playing and setting up and just trying to adapt my game to that. I feel like when I’m playing at my best I can score goals or provide assists against anyone.”

  • England will use World Cup heartbreak against Denmark – Maguire

    England will use World Cup heartbreak against Denmark – Maguire

    Manchester United captain Harry Maguire believes England must use previous hurt to spur them on to glory.

    The Three Lions take on Denmark in the second semi final at Euro 2020 on Wednesday.

    England lost in the World Cup semi finals to Croatia three years ago and now have a chance to erase that memory with a win at Wembley this week.

    “The motivation is there,” Maguire said, per the BBC.

    “Losing the semi-final at the World Cup hurt a lot.”

    He added: “I think we’re in a lot better place than we were.

    “The experience of that, we’ve learnt from it. We’ve had a lot of big games in that period to improve and a lot of time spent together on the training pitch, friendlies and qualifiers. Every game we play we feel we improve.

    “In this tournament, from the first game to the Ukraine game, there’s a lot of differences in the principles that we’re demanding from each other. Of course we’re in a better place now, but we’ve still got a long way to go.”

  • Denmark proceed to Euro 2020 semi-final

    Denmark proceed to Euro 2020 semi-final

    Denmark’s impressive and emotional Euro 2020 campaign continued as they marched on to the semi-finals courtesy of a victory over the Czech Republic in Baku.

    The Danes have gone from strength to strength in the tournament since the trauma of their opening game, in which midfielder Christian Eriksen suffered a cardiac arrest.

    Having hammered Wales in the last 16, they impressively dealt with a dangerous and physical Czech side in a competitive last-eight tie played in a red-hot temperature in Azerbaijan.

    They led from the fifth minute, when Thomas Delaney evaded his marker to head in from a corner.

    A continual threat on the break, they made it 2-0 just before half-time, with Kasper Dolberg volleying in a superb cross from Joakim Maehle to add to the two goals he scored against Wales.

    Their momentum was checked early in the second half as Patrick Schick coolly volleyed in his fifth goal of the tournament, taking him level with Portugal’s Cristiano Ronaldo in the race for the Golden Boot.

    But Denmark were able to recompose themselves and dig in to ensure the victory and a semi-final at Wembley on Wednesday.

    Their opponent will be either England or Ukraine, who play each other in Rome on Saturday evening.

  • Euro 2020: Italy send Austria out in extra time as Denmark thrash Wales

    Euro 2020: Italy send Austria out in extra time as Denmark thrash Wales

    Italy needed extra time to see off battling Austria at Wembley and set up a Euro 2020 quarter-final against Belgium or Portugal.

    Austria marked their first appearance in the knockout stage of the European Championship with a tireless performance to give their much-fancied opponents a scare.

    Marko Arnautovic had a headed goal disallowed after a VAR check for offside in normal time when the game was goalless before goals from substitutes Federico Chiesa and Matteo Pessina sent Italy through.

    Wales were eliminated in the second round of Euro 2020 as they were thrashed by Denmark, whose inspiring journey at the tournament continues to the quarter-finals.

    Backed by a fervent and almost exclusively Danish crowd, Kasper Hjulmand’s side led as Kasper Dolberg curled in a fine 27th-minute strike from the edge of the penalty area.

    Dolberg struck again in the 48th minute as he seized on a defensive error from Wales substitute Neco Williams to smash in from close range.

    That goal deflated Wales, who never looked like clawing their way back into the game as Joakim Maehle added a late third for the jubilant Danes.

    Substitute Harry Wilson was then shown a straight red card for a late foul on Maehle before Martin Braithwaite struck a fourth goal in added time as Wales’ campaign ended miserably.

  • Euro 2020: We’re used to being called underdogs, Bale says as Wales clash with Denmark today

    Euro 2020: We’re used to being called underdogs, Bale says as Wales clash with Denmark today

    Gareth Bale has embraced Wales’ underdogs tag, with Euro 2020 rivals Denmark counting on support from all over Europe following Christian Eriksen’s cardiac arrest.

    Inter Milan midfielder Eriksen collapsed on the pitch during Denmark’s tournament opening goal against Finland in Copenhagen on June 12 and is currently recovering at home.

    Denmark qualified for the knockout stage on a wave of emotion and have become a lot of people’s “second team” after what happened to Eriksen.

    But skipper Bale, speaking ahead of Saturday’s round-of-16 clash in Amsterdam, said Wales were familiar with being underdogs.

    “That’s normal anyway,” said the Real Madrid forward.

    “We’re always the underdogs and (are) used to that tag. It doesn’t make a difference to us.

    “Obviously we understand the situation that happened with them and we’ve sent all our best wishes to Christian.

    “What a great job the Denmark team did with that. But it won’t have any bearing on the game.

    “The players have been in situations before, where teams are favourites and supported more.

    “Against Turkey they had 18,000 fans in the stadium (when Wales won their group game in Baku 2-0). So, it makes no difference.

    “When it comes to kick-off, it will be just us players on the pitch focusing on the game.”

    Eriksen was the star performer in both games when Denmark completed a UEFA Nations League double over Wales in 2018.

    The Danes triumphed 2-0 in Aarhus and 2-1 in Cardiff and have won six of the 10 games between the two countries.

    “The last time we played them we were in more of a transition and younger players were coming in,” Bale said.

    “With the time that’s passed, we’ve got better and improved as a team.

    “We’ve got more players now and we’re more comfortable with each other.

    “Hopefully, we can prove on the pitch that we’re a much better team.”

    Wales must attempt to claim a first-ever win in the Netherlands without any of their fans present in a 16,000-strong crowd at the Johan Cruyff Arena.

    Supporters coming from Wales are banned because the United Kingdom is not on the safe list of countries.

    Denmark, as a country in the European Union, are able to have their citizens avoid quarantine in Holland by spending less than 12 hours in the country.

    Around 4,400 Denmark fans are expected in Amsterdam.

    “We don’t have our fans in the stadium, which is disappointing,” said Bale, who confirmed that Wales had practised penalty kicks in the event of a shootout contest after extra-time.

    “But, as players, that’s something we’re a little bit used to.

    “We know the occasion we’re in, at a big tournament, and every game we play we feel it’s a big game.

    “We just have to play the game and not think of the occasion.”

  • Why I believe I’ve improved – Chelsea defender

    Why I believe I’ve improved – Chelsea defender

    Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen is full of pride over his progress these past 12 months.

    Christensen has just helped Denmark into the Euro 2020 round of 16, only weeks after winning the Champions League final with Chelsea.

    He told Bold: “As a player, I do not really think that you feel if there is something that is different. I’ve always believed in my qualities, and it’s probably just confidence. As soon as you get more matches in a row, you build more and more.

    “It may be that you make some mistakes, but if you are allowed to make them and have the support of coaches, teams and fans, then it gives enormous self-confidence, and self-confidence is a big part of the performance.

    “It may be that I am a self-confident player, I do not know myself, but I have felt the support and backing, and it has made me feel more confident on the field and I have felt I have been allowed to make the small mistakes you now make.”

  • Euro 2020: Chelsea defender explains ‘big ear’ celebration

    Euro 2020: Chelsea defender explains ‘big ear’ celebration

    Chelsea defender Andreas Christensen has explained his goal celebration after scoring for Denmark against Russia.

    Christensen hit a screamer in the 4-1 win as Denmark booked their place in the Euro 2020 round of 16.

    The defender celebrated by holding his ears and later explained it was recognition of winning the Champions League with Chelsea.

    He explained, “I was just trying to keep the ball down. It worked, and then it looks really good.

    “It is an internal joke that runs a bit with me because I won the trophy with the big ears, but it is no longer important.”

  • Brave Denmark into Euro 2020 round of 16 after spanking Russia

    Brave Denmark into Euro 2020 round of 16 after spanking Russia

    Denmark produced a sensational 4-1 win over Russia in their last group stage match at Euro 2020 on Monday to secure emotional progress into the last 16.

    The Danish side are level with Finland and Russia in Group B on three points but advanced for having the better goal difference in matches between the teams.

    Denmark were stunned when team star Christian Eriksen had a cardiac arrest in their opener against Finland and had to be revived on the pitch.

    The game was resumed after around two hours and the Finish side took the victory.

    But backed by an emotional 25,000 fans in Copenhagen’s Parken Stadium, they completed a remarkable turnaround after they lost their second game 2-1 to Belgium.

    Mikkel Damsgaard broke the deadlock for Denmark with a stunning goal shortly before the break and Yussuf Poulsen got a second after a huge blunder in the Russian defence.

    Artem Dzyuba pulled one back from the penalty kick spot after Aleksandr Sobolev was fouled in the box.

    But a brave Denmark sealed the deal with two late goals from Andreas Christensen and Joakim Maehle.

    Finland, who were defeated by group winners Belgium 2-0, wait to see if they are among the four best third-placed for a spot in the knock-out stage, while Russia are out.